Macron humiliated as French President ruthlessly mocked in viral picture with Zelenskyy

Macron humiliated as French President ruthlessly mocked in viral picture with Zelenskyy
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Tom Evans

By Tom Evans


Published: 17/06/2022

- 11:11

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 10:59

Emmanuel Macron has been roundly mocked after a picture of him trying, and failing, to get up close and personal with Volodymyr Zelenskyy went viral

The Ukrainian leader physically recoiled as the French President leaned in for an intimate photo opportunity at a press conference in Kyiv.

Pictures from the scene show the two men in an awkward embrace, with Mr Macron's repeated attempts to engage in a hug rebuffed.


Instead, Mr Zelenskyy simply pulls away, looks awkwardly to his right and pats the 44-year-old on the back.

The images have caused a sensation online, with several commentators quick to mock the humiliated Frenchman.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and French President Emmanuel Macron embrace after giving a news conference, as Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi visit Kyiv, Ukraine June 16, 2022. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS
The awkward embrace has caused a stir online
LUDOVIC MARIN

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and French President Emmanuel Macron attend a joint news conference, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 16, 2022.  REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Mr Macron met with Mr Zelenskyy in Kyiv
VALENTYN OGIRENKO

Tory MP Johnny Mercer, sharing the image online, wrote: "In politics you have two sorts of people.

"Those who want to do something, or those who want to be someone.

"I've never seen it encapsulated so well in one photo."

Fellow Conservative MP Michael Fabricant piled in: "Although visiting two months later than Boris Johnson, Macron goes one step further by sticking his tongue into Volodymyr Zelenskyy's ear. You can't beat that."

Commentator Anthony O'Neill said: "These photos say it all, don't they. Macron's hug is rejected.

"Macron is treating Zelenskyy as a photo opportunity and offering him zero help on the battlefield."

While ABC's James Longman added: "More classic Macron PDA."

During the trip to the Ukrainian capital, Mr Macron joined European Union leaders in making assurances to Mr Zelenskyy over the country's proposed EU membership bid.

France, Germany, Italy and Romania insist Ukraine should be given "immediate" candidate status following its application.

The horrors of war were laid bare to the group, as they visited the nearby town of Irpin – that had been occupied in the earlier conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and French President Emmanuel Macron embrace after giving a news conference, as Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi visit Kyiv, Ukraine June 16, 2022. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS
Mr Zelenskyy patted Mr Macron on the back
LUDOVIC MARIN

Confronted by a scene of utter devastation, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said: "We will rebuild everything.

"They destroyed kindergartens, they destroyed playgrounds. Everything will be rebuilt."

The awkward pictures of the Ukrainian leader's embrace with the French President may come as no surprise to some, given their often tricky relationship.

Mr Macron has been widely accused of being an apologist for Russian President Vladimir Putin in the West.

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