Macron: possible Russian attacks on airports in Paris and Marseille

Is it possible that a Russian armed drone could attack Orly Airport, or Charles de Gaulle Airport, or Marseille Airport? ‘The answer is yes; we must be very clear on this.’ In an interview with France 2 and TF1, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, denied reports that the CIA had warned Paris of an imminent attack “and the Italian Defence Minister did the same,” he added.

The threat, however, is real, according to Macron: ‘Hostile acts have multiplied almost everywhere in Europe,’ he said, adding that ‘tensions are rising and the situation is worrying’. According to Macron, “Russia believes that Europe is Ukraine’s strategic depth”, and this explains the campaigns involving fake news and cyberattacks, which have intensified over time, he added.

The attack in Leipzig, however, has changed the situation: ‘If it had succeeded, there would have been fatalities on German soil.’ Macron denied that anything similar had happened in France (‘we would have made it public’). The country is, however, preparing for such a scenario. ‘We must be clear-headed about the evolution of this threat.’ The Government is now adjusting its approach, following the measures taken against hybrid warfare in recent months: ‘Region by region, all sensitive sites, and civilian sites where it is justified, are subject to additional protective measures. We are doing the same for military sites and those in the defence industry. This, therefore, is our approach.’

The French President, however, was reluctant to use strong language regarding Russia and its actions. “As for words,” he clarified, “I have no intention of contributing to a verbal escalation. All Russia is seeking is to provoke us into using bellicose language, so that it can justify its own mobilisation or its own stance. What I can tell you is that Russia is stepping up its hostile and, at times, criminal acts against European countries.”

The only intelligence reports from the US that Macron considers ‘credible’ concern the possibility that Russia, now that the elections are over, might mobilise a further 300,000 troops; a sign that Moscow ‘is prepared to make further sacrifices to conquer the whole of the Donbas’. This is also why France decided in recent days to send further radar systems and missiles: ‘What is our responsibility? To help the Ukrainians resist,’ commented Macron. However, France has also proposed a ‘double moratorium’ to Kyiv and Moscow, calling on the two countries to suspend attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure and to cease hostilities in the Black Sea in order to release the tens of millions of tonnes of grain. ‘It is not a ceasefire’, which Russia does not want, fearing that Ukraine might rearm. ‘The proposal is to halt attacks on certain targets,’ Macron clarified.