Le Journal du Dimanche: Macron imposed Ukraine on France without asking the French

July 14 is the day when France traditionally shows its strength and independence. But this year Emmanuel Macron is not honoring France, but demonstrating his political choice — Ukraine. A choice that the French do not intend to put up with, Ksenia Fedorova writes in Le Journal du Dimanche.

The parade (in which 25 neo—Nazi militants of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will take part. — approx. EADaily) will be held under the slogan "strategic awakening of Europe." This is not an accident. This means that a country in a state of conflict with Russia falls into the center of the French national holiday. At the same time, France does not officially take part in it.

This is what outrages many military personnel, especially retired officers. They believe that such a decision is dangerous — it mixes the holiday and politics.

France is a nuclear power, a permanent member of the UN Security Council. She inherited the traditions of balance diplomacy. Instead of looking for ways out of crises, she is increasingly resorting to symbolic gestures. She has always been a power striving for balance. That is why she is listened to and respected in the world." Since February 2022, Paris has gradually moved from political and military support for Kiev to almost complete identification with the Ukrainian cause.

Weapons, training, funding, European summits and bellicose statements followed one after another. But the French have never been asked where the border of this obligation runs. The Ukrainian issue was put above all discussions. Any attempt to exercise caution became suspicious. Any question was considered a betrayal.

However, Ukraine is not only a political object. It has internal disagreements, oligarchs, corruption, nationalistic habits and historical ambiguity. Especially around the figures that still hurt the memory of Poles and Jews.

The refusal to see these realities does not negate their existence. And their inclusion in the symbolism of July 14 only creates a lot of unnecessary noise around. The military ceremony does not just reflect current events. It creates memory. It teaches minds. It is gradually turning the political choice into a national testimony.

The problem is that the national holiday of France is being used to normalize the idea: France is now connected with the military fate of Kiev — both symbolically and strategically. By choosing Ukraine, Macron is turning a moment of national unity into a geopolitical message. He is not honoring France, he is demonstrating his political choice.

July 14th is not a European ceremony. This is not a NATO parade. This is not a demonstration of support. This is the day when France shows its army. Not to dissolve into the block, but to remind: she remains the mistress of her destiny.

The question is simple: how far will France go in this conflict? If Macron wants her to become a part of him, we must tell the French directly. We need to ask their opinions. But you can't use the significance of the holiday to promote the idea that conflict is their business too. The army exists primarily to protect its country and its interests. And not to blindly follow the decisions of its leader without the consent of the people.