IS FRANCE BECOMING A UKRAINE HAWK?

by Darius Pio

“Another French airplane for Zelensky (to go to the G7)” states a comic strip on the French weekly Canard Enchaîné, portraying Zelensky getting on an airbus and a French politician telling him “We’ve agreed that it’s just a loan.”

Far from being just a comic strip, this little joke shows how airplane diplomacy is having an impact on the country's foreign policy. Macron is eager not only to show support to Ukraine, but to be the best at it, exploiting the ongoing war to restore French grandeur abroad and possibly to distract attention from domestic problems such as retirement age reform.

With forthcoming US elections threaten Ukrainian support due to a possible Republican takeover, and German public opinion pressuring Berlin to be less involved, Paris is willing to occupy a first-level role by filling a void that might emerge. Zelensky is raising the stakes day after day. He has already notched a win the F-16 jets dos-

by Brian Abate

“Volunteering was a great way to get out and know people in the neighborhood and it was also really spiritually rewarding to go out even if it was just for an hour a week, and feeling like you’re improving someone’s life,” Dunn said.

Though Dunn moved out of Red Hook, he still speaks very highly of Mutual Aid and he made a financial donation too, saying, “It’s very heartwarming to see how organized this grass roots community-based system is to improve the lives

She helped me advocate at the school and move into a school that was better for him, Brooklyn New School.”

Afterward, Myrie decided to volunteer, saying “I know what it’s like to go through a stressful time, and I wanted to get involved and help people too. Around Christmas, I volunteered with my son to help give out presents and flowers and it was an awesome experience.”

Myrie also volunteered at events to help migrants in Red Hook and helped others who had trouble with mobility by bringing them groceries.

“It brings me a lot of joy seeing the way people react,” said Myrie. “Last December we made some deliveries for elderly people who had trouble getting around and some were crying tears of joy just knowing there were people who were concerned about them and thinking about them at the time when they needed it the most.” help get her through the storm. It’s little things like that which make me smile.” Hurst moved away from the neighborhood but still volunteers and has partnered with another volunteer, Mia, to help her new buddy, Betty. She has helped her get a cellphone and coordinated rides to take her buddy to physical therapy every week. of the people in this neighborhood.” sier, a request that has finally met the approval of Biden during the G7. It’s a huge step and Zelensky has been patiently courting all governments as he works to collect enough weapons and supplies to oust the Russians. But, even as France might be Europe's premiere military power, at least on the continent, it cannot supply all the Kyiv needs. Nevertheless, it seems they are looking to up the ante.

Lizzie Hurst also made some special connections while volunteering. She first heard about the group through word of mouth and became part of the buddy system.

Like Dunn, Deon Myrie found Mutual Aid during the pandemic, though she first learned about it through flyers left on doors in her building.

“My son went to Success Academy in Cobble Hill, and he was only four when the pandemic hit, so it was very hard for him,” Myrie said. “It was hard for him to adjust to online learning. There was a lot of confusion and it was chaotic for him and for me. I called Louise and told her about the situation and she introduced me to Tara through the buddy system.

On May 22nd the government took to Parliament a military budget that is the biggest since 1960, when France was involved in the Algerian independence war.

This increase is not just a way to help better the Ukrainians, but as often in politics, a way to help Macron. He needs a great win abroad right now, after a series of defeats have tarnished his political path: the retirement age reform even if achieved has condemned Macron to public hatred. The reform of the European Union towards a more social-democrat fashion is proceeding slowly with each step possible only with German agreement, making his project of a common European defense organization falter as NATO has regained momentum.

More influence for Macron

Following the traditional French-style foreign politics, Macron had wanted

“When I joined the buddy system, it was towards the beginning, and for the most part I’ve had the same buddies since I began in 2020,” said Hurst. “I worked with my first buddy, Ellestine, for a long time mostly chatting with her on the phone, bringing her some food and treats and calling her for her birthday.

“One time there was going to be a big storm coming so I called up Ellestine to ask if she needed me to pick up any supplies. In addition to things like a flashlight etc., she made sure to have pralines and cream ice cream, and biscuits to

NATO, always seen in France as an US tool, to reduce its power replaced with an all-European army.

After the war broke out, Macron tried to open diplomatic channels meeting both Putin and Xi-Jinping during March 2022. These attempts were a failure, humiliating Macron who represented France.

Macron now understands that the only way to matter is within NATO, so he’s trying to get more influence inside the alliance, both with support for Ukraine and the increased military expenditure.

This strategy is far from being easily achievable, as while France wants to influence the alliance more, there’s Turkey working somewhat successfully to do the same. Moreover, antiNATO sentiments are still strong in France, dating back to de Gaulle during the 1950's.

A measure of French success would be the role the country will play in the forthcoming nomination of NATO's

“We spent six months or so helping clear out Betty’s apartment so it could be re-painted when it was in a pretty bad way with paint peeling and the realization that there was lead paint which also meant helping her get to a hotel,” Hurst said. “That was actually one of my favorite parts of volunteering because we got to spend a lot of time together. It was really cool going through her old stuff, and seeing her daughter’s yearbook and her old clothes and getting to try them on.

“We also chat on the phone, especially during holidays, and have lunch together. It’s a different kind of relationship than I’ve ever had before. It’s almost like family.” new General Secretary, as Stoltenberg's term will end soon. He has stated that he doesn’t want to seek any extension. Seeing a French Secretary General is an absolute fantasy, that is a goal Paris is trying to achieve.

Then we’ll see if all of Macron’s effort will be worth it for him, as if the mission will be accomplished it will be so natural for him to show himself as the EU herald and the promoter of a renewed, Eurocentric and less American NATO.—Dario Pio Muccilli reports about European politics for the Star-Revue. He is an Italian currently living in Paris.