During Emmanuel Macron's press conference on Tuesday, January 16, the French president wanted to share an image of a strong Europe as a response to the multiple conflicts facing the world. Macron stressed that the European Union (EU) must continue opposing the war in Ukraine. "We cannot let Russia win," he said.

Keen to show that France is not lacking in its military support for Kyiv, as some of its partners have accused, the French president, who said he'll visit Kyiv in February, announced the forthcoming delivery of 40 new SCALP long-range air-to-ground missiles.

Macron also announced the dispatch of "several hundred bombs." According to the Elysée, these include the AASM model ("Armement Air-Sol Modulaire," also known as the Hammer), a device that can transform conventional smooth-bore bombs weighing between 250 and 1,000 kilograms into guided projectiles with a range of up to 70 kilometers.

With the possibility of Donald Trump's return to the White House in November and the American isolationism that would ensue, Macron once again emphasized the need to build "a stronger Europe, which knows how to protect itself and does not depend on others." Stressing that "American democracy is going through a crisis," he was keen to point out that he had already "dealt with" Trump during his first presidency. "I take the leaders the people give me," he declared.

Macron then spoke about the relentless bombardments Palestinians in Gaza have faced, carried out by Israel in retaliation for the Hamas attack that claimed 1,140 Israeli lives on October 7, 2023 (according to an Agence France-Presse count based on official Israeli data). The French president defended both the establishment of a "ceasefire" and the need for Israel to carry out "targeted operations" from now on. In 100 days, Israeli strikes in Gaza have caused the deaths of more than 24,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.

"All lives are valuable," he said. He also confirmed an agreement that was reached in cooperation with Qatar to deliver both humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza and medicine to Israeli hostages held there by Hamas. Macron announced that a ceremony will be held at Les Invalides in Paris on February 7 to pay tribute to the 41 French nationals killed in the attack by the terrorist group.

Macron said he speaks "almost every week" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asserting that "continuing today with operations as they are being carried out" puts Israel at risk "in the long term, given its impact on the whole region." In recent weeks, Israel's American allies have called on Israelis to do more to protect Palestinian civilians, to no avail.

You have 10% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.