(NEWS, COMMENT AND ANALYSIS WITH MAINSTREAM MEDIA SOURCES)
Amid the drama over the Ukraine War and the resulting push for more European defense spending in line with US President Donald Trump's demands France's defense minister dramatizing an encounter in the eastern Mediterranean.
Last Sunday a patrolling French drone encountered a Russian warplane operating from Russia's Syrian air base.
Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu posting on social media Tuesday offering video of the Russian warplane's approach characterizing it as:
"dangerous behavior"
that 'could have led to the loss of control of the drone'...
"Sebastien Lecornu Denounces An 'Aggressive Action' By A Russian Fighter Plane Against A French Drone"- BFM-TV (Translation Prompt)
On Wednesday night President Emmanuel Macron brought the notion of a Russian threat to Europe out in the open with blistering comments designed to promote both a European military buildup and the notion of 'peacekeeping troops' in Ukraine.
His list of accusations about a Russian threat included these:
"has already turned the Ukrainian conflict into a global conflict"
"violates our borders to assassinate opponents"
"manipulates elections in Romania, Moldova"
"organizes digital attacks on our hospitals"
"tries to manipulate our opinions with lies spread on social networks"
Macron also acknowledged 'a new era' and that the United States 'has changed its position' on the war in Ukraine.
"Russian threat, nuclear deterrence, aid to Ukraine...what to remember from Macron's speech"-BFM-TV Story (Translation Prompt)
But what is the real endgame of a French-European defense buildup?
Russia and Ukraine played up the gravity of the Ukraine War stressed.
But those questioning the war especially here in the US but also in Europe have heard the retort that China needed to be shown the resolve of Western nations.
France's aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" making its way home after a Pacific mission that brought it to waters close to those claimed by China in the South China Sea...
"Map shows NATO aircraft carrier's Pacific mission"-Newsweek
Another sign of French preparation for conflict with China was seen back in June of 2023 when President Emmanuel Macron announced a decision to boost domestic production of 50 key medicines like antibiotics.
Otherwise, France would be depending on imports from other countries like China for them...
Reuters June 13, 2023-"Macron unveils plans to relocate production of key drugs to France"
And French shipping giant CMA CGM which has worldwide business including ties to China pivoting in a big way towards the United States this week.
The US moving against China in shipping getting a 20-billion-dollar commitment from the French company to invest in building ships in the United States...
"Trump hails $20 billion investment by shipping firm CMA CGM"-Reuters
ON THURSDAY A SPOKESPERSON FOR FRANCE'S FOREIGN MINISTRY ENDORSING AN ARAB RECONSTRUCTION PLAN FOR GAZA THAT DIFFERS FROM US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S VISION OF ITS POPULATION BEING REMOVED.
BUT THE ENDORSEMENT ALSO EMPHASIZED THE NOTION THAT HAMAS MUST BE EXCLUDED FROM POLITICAL POWER IN GAZA AND DISARMED WITH SECURITY GUARANTEES FOR ISRAEL...ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS
PEACE RALLY IN PARIS THIS AFTERNOON OPPOSES FRENCH INVOLVEMENT IN UKRAINE
'RETURN TO PEACE' VIDEO FROM 'LES PATRIOTES' RALLY IN PARIS 3/8/2025
(52 MINUTE VIDEO)
In Paris this afternoon a political rally of "Les Patriotes" some interviews on a livestream...Live Video Stream Paris 3/8/2025...
"Macron, we will not die for Ukraine!"
A key slogan of today's protest opposing French intervention in Ukraine as promoted by President Emmanuel Macron...
"A rally against the involvement of France in Ukraine began in Paris"-RIA Novosti Russia (Translation Prompt)
The usual group of Yellow Vests protesters held their small protest event today in Paris. A banner fronting the protest procession...
Yellow Vests Protest Paris 3/8/2025 Video Stream
Also in Paris today a women's rights protest said to have attracted 48,000 according to the authorities and 120.000 according to the organizers.
That is the story about France for this week.
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