Macron pushes for strategic ambiguity in West's approach to Russia

President Emmanuel Macron of France held confidential calls with President Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in February to lay the groundwork for a Paris summit that he hoped would shake up the West’s strategy in the Ukraine war.

Western allies—Macron told each leader, according to officials—should adopt a position of strategic ambiguity toward Russia that would leave all military options on the table, Caliber.Az reports, citing WSJ.

The idea represented a radical break from the stance the Biden administration had maintained since the start of the war. Washington’s approach was calibrated to avoid actions that might provoke Moscow and escalate the conflict.

Macron, in contrast, wanted to stop broadcasting the limits of Western engagement—what are called the West’s “red lines”—and instead keep the Kremlin guessing.

US officials said Biden questioned the need for a change in strategy amid concerns it could lead to an escalation. Scholz also opposed the idea, saying it risked dividing allies and making NATO countries a party to the conflict. 

Macron called Biden and Scholz to tell them he wanted to use the coming summit in Paris to send a message to Putin.

Scholz responded that if Macron went public the chancellor and other leaders would be compelled to reject it. The chancellor also strongly advised Macron against the move, saying it could generate a sense of disunity among allies, officials said. 

Asked whether leaders at the summit had discussed the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine, Macron said there was no consensus on the matter but that nothing should be ruled out.