Britain and France at war as explosive claims expose a “dirty” French blackmail plot and fury erupts against Macron

 A French demand caused deep outrage in Britain, triggering a wave of anger directed at the French president.
Specifically, Britons reacted fiercely to France’s demand that the United Kingdom pay 2 billion pounds as an “entry ticket” to gain access to European Union military contracts related to Ukraine.
This provocative demand by Emmanuel Macron has ignited a storm of fury across Great Britain, according to the British newspaper The Telegraph, with citizens accusing Paris of blatant blackmail and commercial exploitation of the war.

France’s “pay-to-play” strategy

The situation between London and Paris now resembles an “oriental bazaar” set against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. The new gigantic armaments plan of the European Union for Ukraine provides that Ukraine will use the 60 billion euros for its military defense over the next two years, creating a massive “war fund” over which a fierce battle of interests has erupted. While initially Emmanuel Macron was exerting intense pressure for full “strategic autonomy” of the European Union, seeking the purchase of weapons exclusively from European companies, the firm stance of Germany and the Netherlands forced him into an apparent retreat. In order to cover critical gaps in Ukrainian air defense, “European officials of the alliance identified the British cruise missile Storm Shadow, the British PAC-3 interception systems, as well as the American made Patriot systems as a possible option to fill the gap. The European Union ultimately agreed to include the British defense industry, but Paris ensured that this would not happen without a price. France initially proposed that Britain cover 12% of the total interest of the loan, an amount corresponding to approximately 2 billion pounds over a seven year period. This percentage is based on Gross National Income (GNI), the same method used by Brussels for member states. Essentially, Macron is asking Starmer to pay as if Britain had never left the EU (Brexit), but without having any say in the decisions.

The European Union is the most ruthless and self interested organization

Reactions from British commentators are scathing, with many describing the European Union as the most irrational and money driven organization in the free world. One of them described the French president as the embodiment of “vulgar greed,” stressing that it is outrageous to demand an entry fee of 2 billion pounds to participate in an aid program for Ukraine. “Get lost, Macron,” was the characteristic message of a third user, expressing the prevailing sense of dissatisfaction. Many readers of a British newspaper pointed out that Great Britain is geographically distant and has its own internal problems, calling on France, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, and Austria to stop relying on intervention from London or Washington. “It is time for Europe to take care of itself,” citizens note.

What is at stake: The government of Keir Starmer comes under heavy fire from the opposition and analysts

If Britain does not pay, its companies, such as BAE Systems, will be excluded from the contracts of the 90 billion euro fund. If it does pay, Starmer will be accused of financing European bureaucracy with British taxpayers’ money, at a time when the country is facing a cost of living crisis. The Conservatives accuse Starmer of being ready to submit to a “punitive” tax imposed by Macron, solely in order to appear as a good ally. With Britain’s defense under pressure for increases to 2.5% or even 3% of GDP, the payment of 2 billion to the EU is considered by many as “money thrown away” that could be invested directly in the British army. A spokesperson for Downing Street stated that support for Ukraine is “rock solid,” recalling that Britain has already provided 21.8 billion pounds. However, the refusal to comment on the “internal procedures of the EU” shows that the bargaining behind closed doors is tough.

The current clash is not the first

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