Taking swipe at Russia, Macron says fence sitters have to get up By Reuters

By John Irish

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron accused Russia of a modern-day imperialism that was primarily based on the legislation of the jungle and pleaded on Tuesday for impartial international locations to cease being complicit by remaining silent about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In a speech to world leaders on the United Nations Basic Meeting, Macron warned that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was dividing the world and restoring the “age of colonialism.”

“Those that stay silent at this time – regardless of themselves or secretly with a sure complicity – are serving the reason for a brand new imperialism, a recent cynicism that’s destroying the world order,” Macron stated in a 30-minute speech that known as on international locations to not sit on the fence.

“After I hear Russia saying it is prepared for brand spanking new cooperation and a brand new worldwide order with out hegemony, that is a tall story. On the premise of what? Invading your neighbour, non-respect of borders you do not like. What’s this order? Who’s hegemonic at this time? Russia,” he stated.

Macron dismissed the narrative that the West was making an attempt to defend outdated values to serve its pursuits and that the remainder of the world had suffered due to it.

“I name on all of the members of this meeting to assist us on the trail to peace and act to pressure Russia hand over the selection of conflict in order that it realises the price on itself and us and ends its aggression,” he stated.

“It isn’t about selecting a camp between East and West, however the accountability of all people to respect the UN constitution.”

Western powers are hoping to make use of this week’s gathering in New York to persuade impartial states to use extra strain on Moscow. Macron ended by stressing Russia’s limitations.

“Who was right here in the course of the pandemic? Who provides financing to assist the local weather transition? Not those that are coming to you at this time with the concept of a brand new world order. Not those that did not a have a vaccine that labored and provide nothing within the face of local weather change,” he stated.