Paris betrays even its allies Dirty hands in murky waters

The start of this week has brought fresh revelations about France, or more specifically, its double standards. According to Bloomberg, France imported record amounts of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2024, marking the highest volumes since deliveries began in 2018. Notably, shipments to the Dunkirk terminal have surged. Once regasified and entering the European network, the gas is free to flow to other countries across the continent.

This means that while President Macron vocally supports Ukraine and imposes sanctions on Russia, in practice, France continues to engage in commercial relations with Moscow. It’s worth remembering that Macron was among the most outspoken in showing solidarity with Ukraine, dramatically pledging support. However, that support largely remained rhetorical rather than tangible. France has consistently trailed behind other countries in providing military and other aid to Ukraine. Yet, Macron was the one who declared that France was ready to send troops to Ukraine. This, however, had no real-world impact, as no NATO member was willing to fight on Ukrainian soil. Macron shrugged it off, saying, "I was ready, but I wasn’t supported."

However, such manipulations are unlikely to fool anyone today, not even an uninformed public, let alone seasoned politicians. As a result, Macron's belligerent statements have become more of a laughingstock than a source of admiration. Still, some naïve individuals believe that Paris can make a difference for them. And some may argue that it does, pointing to France's lukewarm support for Washington's approval of Western missile strikes on Russian territory. But this support, much like Washington's approval, amounts to little. While they gave the go-ahead, are they actually promising to supply Ukraine with new missiles? The old ones are running out.

Another example of hypocrisy is the close ties between Paris and Tehran. Recently, our website published exclusive details about the cooperation between France and Iran through Armenia. One example of this arrangement was highlighted in reports of phone conversations between Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on November 14, as well as with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on November 16. Additionally, during the meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Macron on November 7 in Budapest, at the European Political Community summit, Macron gave Pashinyan instructions on how to relay messages to Iran.

In other words, while the European Union discusses and even implements new sanctions against Iran, Macron is engaging in secret talks with Tehran through Armenia. This also represents a betrayal of France's NATO ally, the United States, including the recently elected President Donald Trump, who, as is well known, intends to tighten Washington's policy towards the Islamic Republic of Iran.

But why be surprised? We’ve long grown accustomed to Paris' duplicity – a prime example of which can be seen in its stance on the already resolved Karabakh conflict. From the very beginning of the 44-day war, Macron, government officials, and parliamentarians did everything in their power to prevent the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and full sovereignty. At the same time, France pursues a discriminatory, colonial policy both towards Corsica and its overseas territories thousands of miles from its borders. Unlike Karabakh, which has historically been a cornerstone of Azerbaijani statehood, the aforementioned territories were brutally seized by France during its colonial expansion. For French politicians, the concept of "human rights" is nothing more than a battering ram for advancing their imperialist agenda.

It must be acknowledged that what previous French politicians did more delicately, Macron carries out in a clumsy and heavy-handed manner. Does this indicate a systemic and personnel crisis in the French political system? Probably, yes. And here, one doesn't quite know whether to lament or rejoice over this fact. On one hand, such foolish behaviour often yields no results – which works in Azerbaijan’s favour. On the other hand, all these blunders by the failed Napoleon significantly damage the bilateral relations with France, from which the two nations could otherwise derive some benefit.

France’s policy is a clear indication that, contrary to the belief held by some naïve romantics, including those among us, that the West is guided by moral values, Western democracies not only pursue realpolitik but do so with the most cynical execution.

This information may help dispel illusions for those still holding onto naive ideals.