Lionel Laurent, Columnist

Ukraine's Song to Macron Is Awfully Bittersweet

Western countries have paths to prioritize support for Ukraine but also must be realistic.

October 14, 2022 at 4:00 AM UTC

Lionel Laurent is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist writing about the future of money and the future of Europe. Previously, he was a reporter for Reuters and Forbes.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 20, 2022. — French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 20, 2022.
Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg

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Ukraine wants weapons this winter, and for good reason. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion is escalating. Buildings and infrastructure are sitting ducks, as Russia’s latest bombardment shows. Air defense equipment is the latest item Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is pressuring the West for as NATO allies meet to discuss beefing up support for Kyiv.

Zelenskiy’s government has even resorted to wooing French President Emmanuel Macron online with a video set to Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin’s racy, classic hit “Je T’aime... Moi Non Plus.” The clip contrasts the soft-power emblems of Paris like the Eiffel Tower with the hard-power Caesar self-propelled guns that Ukraine seeks. France has sent about 18 so far; more are on the way.