French Foreign Minister: "U.S. and Russia Testing Europe Through Threats and Coercion"

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrault criticized both the United States and Russia on January 9 (local time), stating that Europe is facing external threats.

At a New Year's reception held for French ambassadors stationed around the world, Minister Barrault said, "We are threatened by hostile external forces seeking to dismantle the bonds that unite us," adding, "We must face reality."

Minister Barrault stated, "As they have done for centuries, they once again dream of exploiting our divisions," and added, "They have already begun to test the strength of our union through threats and coercion, including territorial incursions on the eastern front, trade intimidation, and demands for the non-saleable Greenland."

Referring to the United States' sanctions on five individuals, including Thierry Breton, former EU Commissioner for the Internal Market who led the European Union's big tech regulatory legislation, Minister Barrault said, "This is a challenge to our ability to choose our own rules on our own territory."

Minister Barrault stated, "Within a few months, the new U.S. administration has decided to reconsider the bonds that unite us. That is their right," adding, "Likewise, no matter how long-standing an ally, it is also our right to refuse their proposals when we cannot accept them."

Previously, French President Emmanuel Macron also stated the previous day that "the United States is gradually turning its back on some allies and moving away from the international norms it once led," emphasizing that a 'neo-colonial aggressiveness' is becoming increasingly prominent in diplomatic relations.