Macron on security and fuel Budget and election choices

Sep 21

In Caroline Roux and Gilles Bouleau's Élysée interview, Emmanuel Macron denies that the CIA notified French intelligence of the reported seaborne Russian-drone attack scenario, while warning of increasing hostile acts and possible attacks on France. He describes strengthened protection of sensitive civilian, military and defense-industry sites, and avoids belligerent terminology. He calls a new Russian mobilization of about 300,000 men credible, citing intelligence and preparations, without establishing a completed call-up. His assessments of war deaths, Russian losses, territorial gains and the time needed to capture the Donbas remain his claims; he reiterates Ukraine support and briefly recalls additional radar and missile supplies. Macron recalls Monday discussions with Trump and Zelenskyy and renews a reciprocal energy/civilian-target moratorium and a Black Sea fighting moratorium to free grain. Challenged about Russian refusal, he distinguishes these from a frontline ceasefire. He says French diesel, gas and heating-oil volumes have been secured through year-end, qualifies confidence beyond that if the crisis worsens, describes reserves and a future 80-percent gas-storage target, and seeks Hormuz reopening through Iranian and Omani talks. He announces soldiers, radars and defense systems to protect Yanbu after what he describes as a Houthi attack; he presents this as defensive protection and leaves possible aircraft use dependent on developments. He proposes convening the G7 to consider coordinated strategic-reserve releases, warns that a U.S. diesel-export ban would harm global prices and the U.S. economy, and says he has no guarantee Trump will refrain. In the extended domestic debate, Macron prefers international action and targeted aid over general fuel-tax cuts, but leaves further measures, including tax reductions, open if conditions require. He defends past pandemic and energy-crisis spending and investment, accepts that social reforms were too slow and that he failed to persuade political parties, and contests the interviewers' criticism of his debt record. He describes TotalEnergies caps at €1.99 for gasoline and €2.15 for diesel. Bouleau contrasts the company's reported €300m cap cost over five months with €10bn net profits over six months; Macron favors caps while leaving excessive-margin and taxation debate open. He cites electricity-contract and electric-vehicle changes and urges continued electrification, without a new detailed program. He acknowledges understandable anger and sector-specific support, but argues that a generalized protest cannot resolve war-driven price rises and calls for unity. Asked about €54bn in proposed budget efforts, Macron defends the forthcoming budget as fair and responsible, with proportionate burdens and protection for vulnerable people, and says it is to be presented October 1. Bouleau calls the 2024 dissolution catastrophic; Macron defends it as returning the parliamentary choice to voters and describes coalition failures and a center-right relative majority. He argues another dissolution now would worsen instability, impede a budget and constrain his successor before the presidential election. He declines to decide now whether to endorse a presidential candidate, says he will act responsibly as circumstances develop, and emphasizes current duties. A closing brief previews welcoming the pope the next day; it does not establish a completed visit. The account retains claims, criticism, forecasts and schedules as aired.

At their September 21 meeting in New York, Macron and Trump discussed Russia's war against Ukraine. TSN airs Macron saying they discussed the need to act quickly on air-defence missiles and possible initiatives for a moratorium concerning energy. In his September 22 ABC interview, Macron recalls a good discussion with Trump the previous day. He says he believes Trump now has a fair assessment of Russia's difficulties and Ukraine's bravery and innovation, while declining to disclose Trump's private words. The accounts do not establish an agreed energy moratorium, a completed missile delivery or a peace settlement. The meeting's separate Hormuz discussion is indexed separately. In his September 24 TF1/France 2 interview, Macron recalls discussing reciprocal energy restraint with Trump and Zelenskyy on Monday. Asked about Ukrainian refinery strikes and French fuel prices, he distinguishes the effect of those attacks from the larger Hormuz problem. He describes reciprocal restraint on refineries, Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure, and a Black Sea moratorium, while stressing that this is not a frontline ceasefire. These are his retrospective account and renewed proposals; no agreement is reported.