Macron calls on Trump to be serious

During his official visit to South Korea, President of France Emmanuel Macron has stated his opinion on the conduct of war in Iran, covertly criticizing president Trump’s approach, BBC reports.

The journalists asked Macron several questions about war in Iran which is starting to go on for the second month, to which he replied that war is a serious matter involving lives of people, adding that "When you want to be serious you don't say every day the opposite of what you said the day before", then "And maybe you shouldn't be speaking every day. You should just let things quieten down.". He also said that he is unwilling to give comment on the war that Israel and USA started by themselves and now are upset because of they are waging it on their own.

This was seen as a lightly hidden critique of US President Donald Trump and his sometimes contradictory statements. At different times since the start of the conflict, his administration produced statements that said that a ceasefire will come soon, or that the US victory has already been achieved, or that US will continue the hostilities.

Another question posed by journalist to French president was his opinion on another of Trump’s recent messages, this time about his skepticism of NATO and that he might reconsider his country’s membership in this alliance. Macron said that one of the true values of NATO is the trust between its member states, and that when there are disagreements, partners in this Alliance sign treaties and quietly resolve the issues that have arisen, “rather than commenting on them every day to say that you will or will not respect them”. He further added, that the question regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities remains open, and they should be under international observers control.

These as well as other remarks follow a wave of Trump’s attacks on France and Macron personally due to France’s refusal to join the war in Iran. It is reported that on Wednesday, during a private launch the President of US mocked Macron’s French accent and joked about Brigitte Macron hitting her husband. Such remarks have united a large part of French politicians, even from the opposition, in defense of their president.

So far France along with other European countries has supported the US and Israel military operation against Iran, but without direct involvement in the fight – a stance which the US President finds problematic.