In a daring stunt, Greenpeace activists have made off with a wax statue of French President Emmanuel Macron from the Grevin Museum in Paris. The statue, valued at €40,000, was transported to the Russian embassy, where it was displayed alongside banners criticizing France’s ongoing imports of Russian liquefied natural gas and fertilizers. This provocative move is the latest in a series of protests by the environmental group, which accuses Macron of not doing enough to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Despite France being one of Ukraine’s key backers since the escalation of the conflict in February 2022, Greenpeace France’s executive director, Jean-François Julliard, claims that Macron is “playing a double game.” The group’s actions on Monday were a direct response to this perceived betrayal, with three activists posing as tourists before disguising themselves as staff to remove the statue. The entire operation was captured on video, showcasing the group’s brazen tactics.
The protest outside the Russian embassy highlights the complexities of France’s relationship with Russia, particularly in regards to energy imports. While France has cut most economic ties with Moscow and pushed for harsher sanctions, its continued imports of Russian liquefied natural gas and fertilizers have raised eyebrows. Greenpeace argues that these imports undermine France’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and demonstrate a lack of resolve in confronting Russia’s actions.
The Paris prosecutor’s office has since opened an investigation into the theft, but no arrests have been made. The Grevin Museum has also declined to comment on the incident, which has sparked a mix of amusement and outrage on social media. The stunt has also drawn attention to Russia’s designation of Greenpeace International as an “undesirable organization” in May 2023, citing the group’s history of pushing a political agenda and meddling in domestic affairs.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how France will respond to Greenpeace’s provocative actions. One thing is certain, however: the protesters have succeeded in bringing attention to their cause, and the conversation around France’s relationship with Russia and Ukraine will undoubtedly continue. With the statue’s fate still uncertain – Greenpeace claims it will be returned, but has not specified when – the world watches with bated breath, waiting to see what’s next in this drama-filled saga.
