Macron Strengthened His Position in the EU by Changing Ukraine Funding Scheme
World
French President Emmanuel Macron, according to Politico, carried out a subtle diplomatic operation that not only changed the EU's key plan to finance Ukraine but also restored his status as a key negotiator in Europe. Thanks to his efforts, Brussels abandoned the risky "reparations loan" secured by frozen Russian assets in favor of a safer option.
Emmanuel Macron has regained his role as an architect of European policy by playing a decisive role in changing the European Union's approach to financial aid for Ukraine. As reported by Politico citing diplomats, it was the French president who drove the abandonment of the dubious plan to grant Ukraine a loan secured by frozen Russian assets (the "reparations loan").
The turning point at the EU summit on December 18 came after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sharply criticized the initial plan. At that moment, Macron, whose influence had waned in recent months, used a "Plan B" prepared by his diplomats. It envisaged providing Kyiv with a loan of 90 billion euros not secured by Russian assets, but from the common EU budget.
The key to success was the backstage work of French diplomacy to secure support for the alternative. Macron personally negotiated with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, which allowed the potential veto from Budapest to be lifted. Slovakia and the Czech Republic also agreed not to block the decision on the condition of non-participation in the lending.
Although German Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly supported the idea of an asset-backed loan, his supporters at the summit found themselves in the minority. According to diplomats, many leaders felt caught off guard, but it became clear that it was France's support that made the new option the only possible one. Macron's actions have already been called a "master class" in political maneuvering in Brussels.
The turning point at the EU summit on December 18 came after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sharply criticized the initial plan. At that moment, Macron, whose influence had waned in recent months, used a "Plan B" prepared by his diplomats. It envisaged providing Kyiv with a loan of 90 billion euros not secured by Russian assets, but from the common EU budget.
The key to success was the backstage work of French diplomacy to secure support for the alternative. Macron personally negotiated with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, which allowed the potential veto from Budapest to be lifted. Slovakia and the Czech Republic also agreed not to block the decision on the condition of non-participation in the lending.
Although German Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly supported the idea of an asset-backed loan, his supporters at the summit found themselves in the minority. According to diplomats, many leaders felt caught off guard, but it became clear that it was France's support that made the new option the only possible one. Macron's actions have already been called a "master class" in political maneuvering in Brussels.
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