War in Ukraine: Macron receives Hollande and Sarkozy at the Élysée to talk about the situation in the country

Emmanuel Macron receives Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande this Wednesday at the Élysée. The head of state wishes to discuss the situation in Ukraine with his two predecessors, a week before a vote in Parliament and on the eve of a meeting with the oppositions.

Two rooms, two atmospheres

Emmanuel Macron wants to take the temperature on the right and the left. This Wednesday, two institutional meetings are planned with François Hollande at 5 p.m., then Nicolas Sarkozy at 6 p.m. The head of state wishes to consult the two former presidents one on one, to confront their diametrically opposed visions on the course of action to take in the face of Russia.

François Hollande called last month for more to be done to help Ukraine on the defense dimension. Conversely, Nicolas Sarkozy sparked the controversy last August, declaring that Ukraine must remain neutral and he wants a diplomatic outcome to the conflict. A position that is still relevant according to those close to him, which reminds us that the former president always wishes to favor dialogue.

In Emmanuel Macron’s entourage, we invoke the unity of the nation and we call for overcoming the upheavals of political life. The fact remains that the recent remarks by the Head of State on a potential sending of ground troops to Ukraine have sparked opposition, expected at the Élysée on Thursday for a new meeting behind closed doors.