Greenpeace activists executed an audacious operation to steal a waxwork of President Emmanuel Macron from a Paris museum, bringing attention to France's continued trade ties with Russia amidst ongoing tensions due to the Ukraine war.
Environmental Activists Steal Macron Waxwork in Protest Against Russian Trade
Environmental Activists Steal Macron Waxwork in Protest Against Russian Trade
Activists from Greenpeace launch a protest by stealing a wax figure of Emmanuel Macron, highlighting France's ongoing trade relations with Russia despite the Ukraine conflict.
In a surprising act of protest, Greenpeace activists disguised as museum employees stole a wax figure of French President Emmanuel Macron from the Grevin Museum in Paris. The activists entered the museum looking like tourists, changed outfits, and covered the statue with a blanket before exiting through an emergency exit, as reported by AFP.
Following its theft, the waxwork was displayed outside the Russian embassy in Paris, where activists criticized Macron's stance on French companies maintaining business operations in Russia since its invasion of Ukraine. Notably, while Macron has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, Greenpeace claims that France’s actions suggest a contradictory approach to engaging with Russian firms.
Jean-Francois Julliard, head of Greenpeace France, articulated this view, stating that Paris is "playing a double game" by supporting Ukraine while still importing gas and fertiliser from Russia. He added that Macron "embodies this double discourse" and should take a leading role in ending economic contracts with Russian entities.
Recent analyses, including one from the BBC, have highlighted that Russia continues to profit substantially from fossil fuel exports to the West, especially the EU, which has accounted for hundreds of billions in revenue since the onset of the conflict. Reports show that Russian gas exports to Europe are forecasted to increase significantly, despite ongoing sanctions imposed by France and other nations against Russia and its individuals.
This dramatic protest raises critical questions about the alignment of France’s diplomatic efforts with its economic actions, as international condemnation toward Russia continues amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. No arrests have yet been made in connection with the operation, and the stolen waxwork, valued at approximately €40,000, remains unaccounted for.
