French President Emmanuel Macron has disclosed that he is considering stripping Vladimir Putin of France’s top honour.
The Russian leader was presented with the Legion d’Honneur in 2006 by former French President Jacques Chirac. The title is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil, and was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte.
Some French legislators and activists have called on Macron to rescind Putin’s award because of the war. However, Macron iterated that he is waiting for the “right moment” to strip the Russian President of the title.
Macron was speaking after awarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the honour.
French President Emmanuel Macron pinned the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor medal on Zelenskyy’s chest after the two met in the French presidential palace.
Macron opined that awarding the Ukrainian President the Legion of Honor was meant to show France’s “immense” recognition for Ukraine’s valor since Russia invaded it a year ago.
Macron said that the question of Putin’s medal was “symbolic but important”.
While the French President said he believed he had the right to revoke the honour, he added, “It is not a decision that I made today.”
Such decisions “are always meaningful and I think you have to appreciate the right moment to make them”, Macron iterated.
The honour was given to President Putin during a period of relatively close French-Russian relations.
However, Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February last year has resulted in widespread condemnation and the European Union imposing tough economic sanctions on Moscow.
While Macron has condemned the invasion, he has repeatedly spoken to Putin by phone in an effort to broker a ceasefire and negotiations.
The French attempts to maintain a dialogue with the Kremlin contrast with the US and UK positions.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba hit out at Macron in October, 2022 after he (Macron) said it was vital that Russia was not humiliated over its invasion.
Putin Not The First World Leader To Get France’s Highest Honour
Putin is not the first controversial world leader to be handed France’s highest honour.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was decorated with the award by Jacques Chirac in 2001, shortly after taking power following the death of his father Hafez al-Assad.
The award was returned in 2018, with Syria saying al-Assad would not wear the award of a “slave” to the United States.
In 2016, then-President Francois Hollande awarded the title to former Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, citing for his “efforts in the fight against terrorism and extremism”. This was soon after Mr Hollande had condemned mass executions in Saudi Arabia.
And it would not be the first time Macron has stripped someone of the honour. He withdrew the award from Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein after a series of accusations of sexual harassment and rape.
On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Élysée presidential palace in Paris, President Emmanuel Macron assured that Ukraine can count on France in its war against Russia.
“Russia cannot and must not win this war. As long as Russia continues to attack, we will continue to adapt and moderate the necessary military support to preserve Ukraine and its future.”
President Emmanuel Macron
France is “determined to help Ukraine to victory and the re-establishment of its legitimate rights”, said Macron, ahead of a working dinner, adding that Paris would “continue its efforts” to deliver arms to Kyiv.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz opined that Europe will support Ukraine in its war against Russia for as long as necessary adding that Ukraine belongs to the European family.
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