Philippe Ricard

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Macron wants to form a European coalition of military instructors in Ukraine

A few hundred specialists from several countries could be involved in the project to train mine clearers and, particularly for France, to potentially train a new motorized brigade.

Published on May 30, 2024, at 10:17 am (Paris), updated on May 30, 2024, at 11:05 am Philippe Ricard Cédric Pietralunga

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Macron ready to allow Ukraine to 'neutralize' Russian military sites with French missiles

'What has changed is that Russia has adapted its practices somewhat,' justified the French president.

Published on May 29, 2024, at 10:56 am (Paris) Philippe Ricard

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From Germany, Macron campaigns against the French far right

The French president took advantage of his state visit to Germany to urge mobilization against the far right. With the European elections less than two weeks away, Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National is well ahead of the ruling coalition in the polls.

Published on May 28, 2024, at 9:35 am (Paris) Philippe Ricard

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Ireland, Norway and Spain decide to jointly recognize Palestine as a state

The countries' announcements are a further setback for Israel, 12 days after the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for Palestine to become a full member state of the UN. Israel reacted by recalling its ambassadors.

Published on May 22, 2024, at 11:35 am (Paris), updated on May 22, 2024, at 12:29 pm Sandrine Morel Philippe Ricard Philippe Jacqué

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Israel-Hamas war: Arab plan for Gaza's 'day after' hits dead end

The roadmap, which makes recognition of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders a prerequisite for the resumption of peace negotiations, has been rejected by Washington.

Published on May 10, 2024, at 11:42 am (Paris) Philippe Ricard Hélène Sallon

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EU: 'The major enlargement of 2004 marked the start of a long reunification process for the old continent'

The integration of 10 new countries – mostly from the former Eastern bloc – remains one of the European Union's most unexpected and developmental successes, writes columnist Philippe Ricard.

Published on May 8, 2024, at 3:11 am (Paris), updated on May 8, 2024, at 7:55 am Philippe Ricard

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'Olympic truce' in Ukraine and hint of a trade battle dominate first day of Xi's visit to France

On Monday, Emmanuel Macron and the Chinese president launched a joint appeal for a ceasefire in Ukraine on the occasion of the Paris Olympic Games this summer. On the trade front, little progress has been made.

Published on May 7, 2024, at 11:42 am (Paris), updated on May 19, 2024, at 8:52 am Simon Leplâtre Philippe Ricard

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Ukraine and trade tensions to dominate Xi's Europe visit

The Chinese President will visit France on May 6 and 7, then Serbia and Hungary. He is expected to encourage Europeans to distance themselves from Washington.

Published on May 6, 2024, at 5:20 am (Paris), updated on May 9, 2024, at 5:11 pm Philippe Ricard Simon Leplâtre

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China's Xi visits France, where he will be pressed on support for Russia

Chinese companies have enabled Moscow to turn around its arms industry and gain an advantage in the conflict.

Published on May 5, 2024, at 2:30 pm (Paris), updated on May 5, 2024, at 2:54 pm Harold Thibault Philippe Ricard

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Macron and Scholz coordinate to present united front against China

The French president and the German chancellor dined in Paris on Thursday, May 2, to take stock of major issues, including Europe's stance toward Beijing.

Published on May 4, 2024, at 4:30 am (Paris), updated on May 4, 2024, at 10:35 am Philippe Ricard

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How Macron wants to 'Europeanize' nuclear deterrence

The French president is looking to extend France's nuclear deterrent capability in light of Donald Tump's possible return to the White House and the ongoing war in Ukraine, experts say.

Published on May 3, 2024, at 5:24 pm (Paris) Philippe Ricard Elise Vincent

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Macron's grand ambitions for Europe ahead of EU elections

In a speech in Paris on Thursday, the French president called for a stronger EU defense and proposed doubling the EU budget to pave the way for a 'powerful Europe.'

Published on April 26, 2024, at 9:25 am (Paris) Virginie Malingre Philippe Ricard

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War in Ukraine: Europe struggles to strengthen Kyiv's air defense system

Countries across Europe are reluctant to part with their most advanced defense systems. In Luxembourg on Monday, foreign ministers are due to try to step up their support.

Published on April 22, 2024, at 12:30 pm (Paris), updated on April 22, 2024, at 12:30 pm Cédric Pietralunga Philippe Ricard

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Josep Borrell: 'A regional war is in nobody's interest, especially not the Gazans'

The European Union's high representative for foreign affairs insists on the need for appeasement in the Middle East but acknowledges the EU's limitations in influencing those involved.

Published on April 16, 2024, at 12:45 pm (Paris) Stéphanie Le Bars Philippe Ricard

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Macron's risky gamble on Ukraine for the EU elections

At this point, the French president's strategy of making aid to Ukraine a key issue of the campaign has above all given breathing room to 'pro-Russian' parties.

Published on April 11, 2024, at 5:30 am (Paris), updated on April 11, 2024, at 10:01 am Philippe Ricard

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France denies Russia's claim of Ukraine talks after rare phone call yields different accounts

Russia said that its defense minister and French counterpart discussed the potential for talks on the war in Ukraine during a rare telephone call on Wednesday, a claim that Paris immediately denied.

Published on April 4, 2024, at 12:55 pm (Paris) Philippe Ricard Cédric Pietralunga

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Allies seek to overcome divisions over sensitive issue of Ukraine's accession to NATO

Three months before the alliance's 75th anniversary, its invitation to Kyiv to join, promised in 2008, now seems hypothetical. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, however, has proposed further support.

Published on April 4, 2024, at 11:19 am (Paris), updated on April 4, 2024, at 11:56 am Philippe Jacqué Philippe Ricard

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Macron's visit to Brazil highlights limits of dialogue between France and a Global South leader

The French president was unable to avoid awkward divergence of opinion regarding both Vladimir Putin and Gaza.

Published on March 29, 2024, at 11:28 am (Paris), updated on March 29, 2024, at 4:40 pm Philippe Ricard Bruno Meyerfeld

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In Brazil, Macron and Lula show a united front against climate change

The Brazilian president, who is hosting his French counterpart on a state visit, has succeeded in curbing deforestation in the Amazon. But his policy in favor of new oil drilling has been criticized.

Published on March 27, 2024, at 11:27 am (Paris) Bruno Meyerfeld Philippe Ricard

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Macron visits Brazil, showcasing much-improved relations with Lula

Relations between France and Brazil have grown warmer since Lula defeated Jair Bolsonaro, despite some sticking points on international conflicts or agriculture.

Published on March 26, 2024, at 5:30 am (Paris), updated on March 26, 2024, at 6:02 am Bruno Meyerfeld Philippe Ricard

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Insults, provocations, cyberattacks: Russia scales up hostility toward France

Ever since President Emmanuel Macron said he does not rule out sending troops to Ukraine, tensions with Moscow have noticeably risen. As part of its new strategy, France no longer hesitates to publicly denounce Russian disinformation attacks.

Published on March 22, 2024, at 11:30 am (Paris) Cédric Pietralunga, Philippe Ricard, Elise Vincent and Benoît Vitkine

Interview Subscribers only

Left-wing MP François Ruffin: 'Macron's zigzags on Ukraine are losing the French and our allies'

As France's radical left La France Insoumise party officially launches its campaign for the European elections on Saturday at a rally in Villepinte, the LFI MP looks back at why he voted against the Franco-Ukrainian agreement.

Published on March 16, 2024, at 7:56 pm (Paris) Sandrine Cassini Philippe Ricard

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Macron repeats 'nothing excluded' on Ukraine, rebuts accusations of electoral opportunism

In a prime-time televised discussion, the French president responded to criticism and concerns following his controversial statements on the possibility of sending allied troops to Ukraine in support of Kyiv.

Published on March 15, 2024, at 11:13 am (Paris), updated on March 15, 2024, at 4:22 pm Claire Gatinois Philippe Ricard Nathalie Segaunes

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War in Ukraine: Emmanuel Macron's metamorphosis from dove to hawk

Over two years of the conflict, the French president has gone from not wanting to 'humiliate Russia' to suggesting that troops be sent to Ukraine. During this time, he has been confronted by Putin's warlike, all-out logic.

Published on March 14, 2024, at 5:00 pm (Paris), updated on March 14, 2024, at 5:25 pm Claire Gatinois, Philippe Ricard, Nathalie Segaunes and Cédric Pietralunga

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On Ukraine, France and Germany can't agree to speak with one voice

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated a rivalry for leadership between Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Emmanuel Macron, while revealing the profound differences in strategic approaches between the two countries.

Published on March 11, 2024, at 4:00 am (Paris) Philippe Ricard Thomas Wieder

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'Macron has made a specialty of being right or, more often than not, wrong, alone against the world'

Le Monde's Philippe Ricard questions whether the French president was wrong to precipitate the debate on a Western military presence within besieged Ukraine.

Published on March 7, 2024, at 6:39 pm (Paris) Philippe Ricard

Interview Subscribers only

French foreign minister: 'The humanitarian situation in Gaza is creating indefensible and unjustifiable situations for which the Israelis are accountable'

Stéphane Séjourné, France's new head of diplomacy, believes that 'France must be on the right side of history' regarding the war in Ukraine, and is calling for a 'lasting' ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave.

Published on March 2, 2024, at 12:30 pm (Paris), updated on March 4, 2024, at 2:08 pm Stéphanie Le Bars Philippe Ricard

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Ukraine's Western allies already have a military presence in the country

When French President Emmanuel Macron spoke of potentially sending military reinforcements to Ukraine, he unintentionally lifted the veil on the existing presence of Western personnel on Ukrainian soil.

Published on March 1, 2024, at 10:51 am (Paris), updated on March 1, 2024, at 7:47 pm Elise Vincent Philippe Ricard

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Macron turns to Qatar for greater influence in the Middle East

The emir of Qatar's state visit to France this week rekindled relations between the two countries. Emmanuel Macron and Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and continued support for the Lebanese army.

Published on February 29, 2024, at 10:10 am (Paris) Bastien Bonnefous Philippe Ricard

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Macron defends idea of potentially sending troops to Ukraine as allies distance themselves

The French presidency said Tuesday that the question had been raised during calls with other Western leaders ahead of the Paris conference where Macron said 'no option should be ruled out.'

Published on February 28, 2024, at 10:41 am (Paris) Jean-Baptiste Chastand, Anne-Françoise Hivert, Philippe Ricard, Elise Vincent and Thomas Wieder

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Ukraine's allies divided over potential ground intervention raised by Macron

The French president said 'no option should be discarded' to bolster military support for Kyiv at a conference attended by leaders of Ukraine's allies, but recognized there was 'no consensus.'

Published on February 27, 2024, at 11:03 am (Paris) Philippe Ricard Elise Vincent

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War in Ukraine: Not all European countries view Russia as top threat

European public opinion and governments differ in their assessment of the security risk posed by Russia on the continent.

Published on February 26, 2024, at 4:05 pm (Paris), updated on February 26, 2024, at 5:27 pm Cécile Ducourtieux, Anne-Françoise Hivert, Jakub Iwaniuk, Allan Kaval, Sandrine Morel, Philippe Ricard, Thomas Wieder and Jean-Baptiste Chastand

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Zelensky obtains unprecedented military support from Paris and Berlin

The Ukrainian president signed security agreements with both France and Germany on Friday.

Published on February 17, 2024, at 3:32 pm (Paris), updated on February 17, 2024, at 11:40 pm Cédric Pietralunga Philippe Ricard Thomas Wieder

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War in Ukraine: From security agreements to arms supplies, European leaders come to Zelensky's aid

The Ukrainian president is visiting Berlin and Paris on Friday, and the Munich Security Conference the following day. His tour that will be crucial for Ukraine as the fighting gets bogged down.

Published on February 16, 2024, at 11:21 am (Paris) Philippe Jacqué Cédric Pietralunga Philippe Ricard

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After Trump's statements on NATO, France, Germany and Poland try to close ranks

The three countries want to relaunch their cooperation within the framework of the Weimar Triangle but remain divided over the issue of 'strategic autonomy.'

Published on February 13, 2024, at 1:30 pm (Paris), updated on February 13, 2024, at 1:30 pm Jakub Iwaniuk Philippe Ricard

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France uncovers vast network of Russian disinformation sites

One hundred and ninety-three fake news websites targeting both Ukraine and European countries, including France, Germany and Poland, have been identified. However, their audience seems limited.

Published on February 12, 2024, at 5:55 pm (Paris) Florian Reynaud Philippe Ricard

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France and US outline diplomatic solution for Israel-Lebanon tensions

For Hezbollah, a key player in the negotiations, an end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip is a prerequisite.

Published on February 10, 2024, at 3:45 pm (Paris) Hélène Sallon Jean-Philippe Rémy Philippe Ricard

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How EU leaders forced Viktor Orban to fold and support Ukraine aid

Meeting in Brussels on Thursday, January 2, EU leaders unanimously adopted a €50 billion financial aid package for Kyiv over four years, a decision which had been blocked in December by the Hungarian prime minister.

Published on February 2, 2024, at 10:22 am (Paris) Philippe Jacqué Philippe Ricard

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'Orban notwithstanding, European public opinion is still more or less behind Ukraine'

Meeting on February 1, EU leaders wish to lift Orban's veto on the Ukraine budgetary aid plan. While he is banking on Europeans' supposed war weariness, public support is still there, writes columnist Philippe Ricard.

Published on February 1, 2024, at 10:37 am (Paris) Philippe Ricard

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Gaza: UN agency for Palestinian refugees plunged into unprecedented turmoil

Israel said that a dozen UNRWA employees were involved in Hamas's October 7 attacks on Israel. The US and several Western countries suspended their funding for the agency.

Published on January 29, 2024, at 11:57 am (Paris) Louis Imbert Philippe Ricard Laure Stephan

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