In a remarkable act of protest, a group of Greenpeace activists successfully stole a wax figure of French President Emmanuel Macron from the Grevin Museum in Paris. Disguised as museum staff, the activists entered the facility posing as tourists, quickly changed into worker uniforms, and covered the waxwork with a blanket before sneaking it out through an emergency exit, according to a police source who spoke with AFP.
The stolen figure reemerged later outside the Russian embassy in Paris. There, the activists condemned Macron's stance on ongoing business dealings between French companies and Russia since the latter's invasion of Ukraine. Despite being one of Kyiv's most ardent supporters and a prominent advocate for a ceasefire in Europe, Macron was criticized for allowing French firms to maintain their operations with Russian entities.
Video footage captured the activists carefully placing the wax figure in front of the embassy, alongside signs and placards aimed at attracting media attention. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the wax figure, valued at approximately €40,000 (£33,765; $45,674), has not been recovered.
Jean-Francois Julliard, the leader of Greenpeace France, emphasized the dilemma facing Paris, accusing it of playing "a double game." Julliard insisted that Macron "embodies this double discourse," urging him to take a firmer stand by terminating trade agreements with Russian companies.
Recent analysis from the BBC revealed that Russia continues to generate significant revenue from fossil fuel exports since the onset of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Data shows that Russia made over €883 billion (£740 billion; $973 billion) from fossil fuel exports, including €228 billion from nations that imposed sanctions, with a sizeable portion sourced from EU member states.
Moreover, Russian estimates suggest that gas exports to Europe could rise by 20% in 2024, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports hitting record highs. Presently, half of Russia's LNG exports are directed toward the EU, with France being a notable contributor.
In response to the conflict, France has supplied military aid to Ukraine while also imposing various sanctions on Russian businesses and individuals. Macron has reiterated that further sanctions could be implemented should Russia fail to engage in dialogue for a ceasefire.
