Peskov: Macron does not understand the real state of affairs regarding Russia

In a sharp rhetorical escalation, Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the President of Russia, recently stated that French President Emmanuel Macron does not understand the real state of affairs regarding Russia. This statement comes amid ongoing tensions between Moscow and Western capitals over the war in Ukraine, NATO expansion, and European security architecture. Peskov’s comments are part of a broader diplomatic and information conflict that has defined Russo-Western relations in recent years.

This article offers a deep analysis of Peskov’s statement, the geopolitical context, and its implications for France–Russia relations and broader European security dynamics.

Background: Deteriorating France–Russia Relations

Macron’s Position on Russia

Since the beginning of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine in 2022, President Emmanuel Macron has tried to maintain an intermediary role between Moscow and Kyiv. While firmly supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and providing military aid, Macron has also called for dialogue with Russia, urging that the West should avoid “humiliating” Moscow and keep diplomatic channels open.

However, Macron’s tone has toughened over time. In early 2024, he shocked many by saying that the deployment of Western troops to Ukraine “should not be ruled out”, which prompted a strong reaction from Russian officials.

Peskov’s Statement: Context and Content

The Kremlin’s Response

Reacting to Macron’s recent statements about Russia and Ukraine, Dmitry Peskov accused the French president of misunderstanding—or deliberately misrepresenting—the internal and external realities of Russia.

“President Macron unfortunately does not understand the real state of affairs in Russia. His assessments are based on illusions and narratives imposed by Western media and intelligence services,”
— Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin Spokesperson

This remark suggests that the Kremlin sees France’s actions as driven more by political positioning and NATO cohesion than by a genuine understanding of Russia’s internal dynamics, strategy, or red lines.

Key Issues Highlighted by the Kremlin

1. Misinterpretation of Russian Political Stability

Peskov suggested that Western leaders, including Macron, underestimate the stability of the Russian political system. In contrast to Western portrayals of a potentially divided elite or popular unrest in Russia, the Kremlin maintains that Vladimir Putin enjoys widespread domestic support and that state institutions remain robust.

2. Misjudging Russian Military Strategy

Another point implied in Peskov’s statement is that France and its allies do not grasp Russia’s long-term strategic planning in Ukraine and its security doctrines. The Russian leadership insists that its actions are part of a broader response to NATO encroachment and Western interference in former Soviet territories.

3. France’s Role in Escalation

Peskov’s criticism also points to Macron’s increasing alignment with the most hawkish voices in NATO, including those calling for the delivery of long-range weapons and possible direct Western involvement. The Kremlin views this as a dangerous miscalculation that could escalate the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders.

France’s Strategic Position and Response

Macron’s Vision for Europe

President Macron has long argued for a more sovereign and militarily capable Europe, sometimes even at odds with U.S. leadership. His calls for European “strategic autonomy” were initially welcomed by some in Moscow, who saw it as a potential fracture within NATO.

However, France’s consistent support for Ukraine and Macron’s recent comments on confronting Russian aggression have neutralized any hope in Moscow that France could serve as a neutral mediator.

French Officials’ Reaction

French officials have brushed off Peskov’s remarks as “routine propaganda.” Some have pointed out that the Kremlin frequently labels any Western criticism as “misunderstanding,” while avoiding engagement with substantive issues raised by European leaders.

Implications for European Geopolitics

Breakdown of Diplomacy

Peskov’s statement reflects a deepening diplomatic freeze between Russia and key European powers like France. The personal attacks and rhetorical hardening reduce the prospects for negotiation and increase the risk of miscalculation.

NATO Cohesion

Ironically, Peskov’s criticism may further solidify NATO unity, as it signals to France and other members that the Kremlin dismisses calls for dialogue as naïve or hostile. This could push even the more moderate voices in Europe to align more closely with Washington’s hard line.

Public Opinion

While Macron’s popularity in France has fluctuated, his stance on Ukraine and Russia generally reflects the broader European consensus. However, Peskov’s comments may play into internal French debates, especially among politicians who advocate for rapprochement with Moscow.

Media and Information Warfare

The exchange between Peskov and Macron is also part of a broader information war. Both sides seek to shape international narratives, with Russia portraying Western leaders as disconnected from reality, and the West portraying Russia as authoritarian and isolated.

Russian state media amplify statements like Peskov’s to reinforce internal support and external defiance, while Western media interpret them as signs of Russia’s strategic anxiety or propaganda desperation.

Conclusion

Dmitry Peskov’s statement that “Macron does not understand the real state of affairs regarding Russia” is more than a diplomatic jab—it reveals the widening geopolitical and ideological chasm between Moscow and Paris. As rhetoric intensifies and diplomatic channels erode, the risk of escalation increases. The world watches as two nuclear powers, one representing a central European democracy and the other an assertive Eurasian state, move further apart in both perception and policy.

The coming months will test whether this confrontation can still be tempered by diplomacy—or whether it will continue down a path of dangerous entrenchment.