Will the world's wars stop? Macron proposes Olympic ceasefire, including in Ukraine
The Olympic Truce is a centuries-old tradition that was invented by the Greeks back in the days before Christ. Later, the idea was supported by the United Nations, which called on countries to implement truces during the Olympics. However, there are few examples in modern history of warring states stopping fighting during the Games. Find out what exactly Macron is proposing and who he wants to involve to put pressure on russia to agree to a temporary ceasefire
French President Emmanuel Macron has said that he will work to achieve a temporary ceasefire around the world during the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. We tell you what this means and whether the French leader's idea is realistic.
What did Macron state?
The French president said that he will try to do his best for an "Olympic ceasefire", specifying that it also implies the war between Israel and Hamas, russia's war against Ukraine, and the war in Sudan.
To put the plan into reality, the French president wants to seek the help of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who will be visiting Paris soon.
"The Chinese president will visit Paris in a few weeks, I will ask him to help me (to conclude the Olympic truce)," Macron said.
As is known, the 2024 Olympic Games will be held in the French capital, Paris from 26 July to 11 August. The Olympic torch relay will start in April.
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What does this mean for Ukraine?
russia's war against Ukraine has been going on for more than two years and during this time no ceasefire has ever been established in the country, although the kremlin authorities have allegedly insisted on it several times.
To understand whether the russian authorities will go for a ceasefire in Ukraine, it should be remembered that on the eve of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a number of Western publications wrote that Chinese President Xi Jinping may have asked russian president vladimir putin not to attack Ukraine during the Olympic Games in Beijing so as not to "overshadow" this important event for China.
The closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics took place on 20 February and just four days later the russian army launched an invasion of Ukraine. But this is not the only time the russians have violated the anti-war traditions of the Olympics. For example, in 2008, during the Olympics, which was also held in Beijing, russia started a war against Georgia. And in 2014, the russians occupied Ukraine's Crimea.
A truce during the Olympics is a tradition
The Olympic truce or ekeheiria is an old Greek tradition that dates back to the distant 7th century BC. In 1992, the International Olympic Committee revived this tradition by calling on all nations to adhere to this truce.
In 1993, the UN General Assembly called on member countries to observe the "Olympic Truce" during the period that begins seven days before the opening and ends seven days after the closing of each Olympic Games.
We remind you! French President Emmanuel Macron has recently been speaking out sharply about the war in Ukraine. If earlier he spoke more loyally about putin, now he is ready to send his troops to Ukraine. Read here what the change in his rhetoric may be related to and what intra-European competition has to do with it.
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