Key facts
- French President Emmanuel Macron will convene a G7 meeting to discuss energy issues and cooperation.
- Macron stated that Russia's hybrid attacks against Europe and France have intensified.
- The French government is tasked with protecting critical infrastructure and defense production sites.
- High energy prices are being driven by the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
- Macron is seeking to secure French access to oil and gas supplies through meetings with Middle Eastern leaders and Canada.
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Russia was planning to target Ukraine’s European allies with drones or rockets.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday that he would convene a Group of Seven (G7) meeting in the coming weeks to address soaring global energy prices and explore options for releasing strategic oil stocks. Macron stated that the meeting would focus on increasing cooperation and avoiding tensions between G7 countries and their main partners.
The announcement came after Macron chaired a crisis meeting at the Elysée Palace, where French intelligence chiefs briefed political leaders and presidential candidates on the escalating threats from Russia's war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East. These global events are contributing to record-high fuel prices in France.
Macron described the situation as serious, emphasizing the need for unity. He also noted that France's tight fiscal outlook would make it challenging to provide massive subsidies for energy bills, though targeted assistance proposals are being developed. The president is also seeking to secure France's access to oil and gas supplies through recent meetings with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, and plans to discuss energy trade with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
In response to the heightened threat of Russian hybrid attacks, including cyberattacks and potential drone or rocket strikes, France is increasing efforts to protect critical infrastructure and defense production sites. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had previously warned that Russia was planning such attacks against Ukraine's European allies.