Macron wax figure stolen from Paris museum in Greenpeace protest over Russia ties Photo / Video

A wax figure of French President Emmanuel Macron has been stolen from the Grévin Museum in Paris by environmental activists, who later used it in a protest outside the Russian embassy.

According to French police, Greenpeace activists disguised themselves as museum employees after initially entering as tourists, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

They reportedly changed clothes inside the museum, wrapped the statue in a blanket, and exited through a fire escape with the €40,000 ($45,674) figure.

The waxwork resurfaced outside the Russian embassy in Paris, where activists displayed it alongside placards criticising Macron’s stance on French businesses that continue operating in Russia despite the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Footage showed the figure placed prominently near the gates of the building during the protest. No arrests have been made, and the statue has not yet been recovered.

Jean-François Julliard, head of Greenpeace France, said the protest aimed to highlight what he described as Paris’s “double game” — publicly supporting Ukraine while allowing French companies to maintain energy-related trade with Russia.

“Macron embodies this double discourse,” Julliard said, calling on the French president to be the first among European leaders to sever economic ties with Russian firms.

Despite Macron’s prominent role in rallying European support for Ukraine, including military aid and sanctions against Moscow, Greenpeace accused his government of inconsistency.

Активисты Greenpeace украли из парижского музея восковую фигуру Макрона и поставили её у посольства рф

Воскового президента доставили к зданию посольства россии в Париже и установили рядом с баннером с надписью: "Украина горит, бизнес продолжается". pic.twitter.com/3xvX9FtV5L

— Anri Tina (@Anri__Tina) June 2, 2025

Later, activists who removed a wax figure of Macron have pledged to return it. The museum said it was informed the sculpture would be brought back, though no date was given.

A BBC analysis in May revealed that Russia continues to generate significant income from fossil fuel exports, including to Western nations. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Moscow has earned over €883 billion ($973 billion) from fossil fuel exports since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with €228 billion (over $260 billion) coming from countries that have sanctioned the Kremlin.

EU member states accounted for €209 billion ($238 billion) of that revenue, including €17.9 billion ($20.4 billion) from France alone.

Russian data also suggests gas exports to Europe increased by as much as 20% in 2024, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments hitting record highs. Around half of Russia’s LNG exports now go to the EU, CREA said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev