Protesters highlight perceived hypocrisy in France's dealings with Russia while supporting Ukraine.
**Macron Wax Figure Taken by Greenpeace Activists in Protest Against Ties with Russia**
**Macron Wax Figure Taken by Greenpeace Activists in Protest Against Ties with Russia**
Environmental activists target French President's policies following Ukraine invasion.
In a startling act of protest, activists affiliated with Greenpeace have stolen a wax figure of French President Emmanuel Macron from the famous Grevin Museum in Paris. The activists, who disguised themselves as museum employees, managed to exit with the figure, valued at approximately €40,000, through an emergency exit after wrapping it in a blanket.
The waxwork was later placed outside the Russian embassy in Paris, where the activists voiced their condemnation of Macron’s approach towards French companies that have continued to engage with Russia, despite its ongoing aggression in Ukraine. This display was designed to highlight a perceived inconsistency in French foreign policy, as Macron has been a prominent advocate for Ukraine while still permitting business ties with Russian firms.
Greenpeace France's leader, Jean-Francois Julliard, criticized Paris for what he termed a "double game," expressing that Macron symbolizes this contradictory stance. He emphasized the need for France to lead in severing trade agreements with Russia as part of a broader commitment to support Ukraine.
In the background of this act, recent analysis has shown that since the beginning of the Ukraine invasion in 2022, Russia has generated over €883 billion from fossil fuel exports, including significant revenue from sanctioned nations. Despite economic sanctions, many European countries, including France, have continued to import Russian fossil fuels, raising questions about the effectiveness of these measures.
While France has provided military support to Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Russia, the ongoing trade relations have sparked significant criticism from activists and political opponents alike. As of now, the stolen wax figure has not been recovered, and no arrests have been made in connection with this unusual protest.
The waxwork was later placed outside the Russian embassy in Paris, where the activists voiced their condemnation of Macron’s approach towards French companies that have continued to engage with Russia, despite its ongoing aggression in Ukraine. This display was designed to highlight a perceived inconsistency in French foreign policy, as Macron has been a prominent advocate for Ukraine while still permitting business ties with Russian firms.
Greenpeace France's leader, Jean-Francois Julliard, criticized Paris for what he termed a "double game," expressing that Macron symbolizes this contradictory stance. He emphasized the need for France to lead in severing trade agreements with Russia as part of a broader commitment to support Ukraine.
In the background of this act, recent analysis has shown that since the beginning of the Ukraine invasion in 2022, Russia has generated over €883 billion from fossil fuel exports, including significant revenue from sanctioned nations. Despite economic sanctions, many European countries, including France, have continued to import Russian fossil fuels, raising questions about the effectiveness of these measures.
While France has provided military support to Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Russia, the ongoing trade relations have sparked significant criticism from activists and political opponents alike. As of now, the stolen wax figure has not been recovered, and no arrests have been made in connection with this unusual protest.
