The defeat of Eurosceptics in France was a great success for both the European Union and Ukraine. Emmanuel Macron strongly aims at the Renaissance of Europe and the opposition of Russia, which can not help instilling at least a restrained optimism. However, we must not forget about the crisis trends in the EU, the Trump factor and the destructive course of Russia.

In an interview with the Observer, the French scientist, professor of geopolitics, a lecturer at the ICN business school in Nancy, Alexander Melnyk, told us what a chance to miss Ukraine, why the world of "post-truth" is losing, and Russia is finally waiting for the European future.

- What opportunities for Macron opens its triumph even in the parliamentary elections?.

- Now Macron has freedom of action to implement the reforms that were outlined, for which France voted, surprising many. For many, this really came as a surprise. However, not for me. I foresaw the factor of the "Macron phenomenon" long enough.

In conceptual terms, these reforms have two fundamental postulates. The first is to carry out the deepest transformations inside France. In other words, it is necessary to "connect" France to the global XXI century, from which it was partially "disconnected" for a long time. It is necessary to open a new horizon for the French, for the younger generation and to return the country to the vanguard of human civilization. This is what concerns the internal program.

If we talk about the external program, it is to create conditions for the revival of Europe. When Europe emerged from the Middle Ages, it was in a sorry state. The current situation is comparable to that period. That is, it is necessary to revive Europe primarily at the expense of the Franco-German locomotive - the driving force. The revival of Europe is in fact the restoration of the fundamental foundations and values ??of Western civilization, which in the 21st century are in a very difficult situation.

After the parliamentary elections, which showed that Macron has carte blanche, he can only execute his program.

- Is it correct to call Emmanuel Macron the last hope of pro-European France? Roughly speaking, if Macron does not live up to the expectations that he is entrusted with, what is the risk that the Eurosceptics will come to power in a few years time?.

- Life is a constant risk, therefore it is necessary to set priorities correctly: not to think about possible negative consequences, but to design the future on the basis of positive concepts. In my opinion, it is very important to see the "ray of sun" that illuminated France. I just saw on television how young people of your age (22-24 years old) became deputies of the National Assembly. The main merit of Macron is that he opens the way for a new generation.

Answering your question, yes, there is a risk. But he is present in absolutely everything. Therefore, it is very important to show positive proactivity. We live in a world that was marked by a clash of two contradictory tendencies. The first - "the phenomenon of Macron," that is, the rehabilitation of reason, intellect, culture, in fact the Enlightenment. As part of this trend, people advance in society due to their talent, intellect, ambitions.

The second trend is represented by Putin, Trump, Erdogan. She pulls us back. This is the world of "post-truth", in which information has turned into fakes, intellect - into cretinism. It is very important to counter this stupidity with reason, law, respect for the human person.

- Marin Le Pen is also an element of the second trend. Official Kiev was very afraid of her election. So Makron really became a great success for Ukraine. In fact, he was the only candidate who declared his readiness to more actively oppose Russia. He also spoke about the possible strengthening of sanctions. But for the time being these are only words. Is there a political will in France, in Europe, to more actively oppose Russia's aggression?.

- Political will does not fall from the sky. Public opinion is changing - two years ago very few people knew about Macron. Obviously, the status quo that existed in Europe came into motion. The first contacts between Macron and Putin showed that the strategy of the President of France is as follows: the continuation of the dialogue with Moscow, but we are talking about a direct, very demanding dialogue, from the position of strength.

When the leader of France to the whole world says that the annexation of Crimea is completely unacceptable, that Russia Today and "Sputnik" are not media, but propaganda organs, this produces a huge effect. The word changes the story. Macron is a man who does what he says. I do not have so much hope as much confidence in that he will go to the end in this demarche, which corresponds to his character and strategy. And this, of course, is a defeat for those who live in a world of "post-truth".

The revival of Europe is the best response to Putin's aggression. And, of course, this is a colossal chance for your country, and it should not be missed. If Ukraine now misses it, then it will be too late. Your country should be inspired by the "Macron phenomenon". Perhaps we should look for our Macron in the young Ukrainian generation. This will open a new corridor to the cooperation of people who speak the same language of reason, law, respect for the human person. This is the language in which Ukraine should be spoken with a revived Europe.

- But also in the language of reforms.

- Certainly. Both Europe and Ukraine need deep reforms.

- We are seeing the deepening of the crisis in the European Union. An indicative situation is the possible imposition of sanctions against Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. Against this background, how do you see the future of the EU? Can Eastern European countries become a Trojan horse?.

- Firstly, I would not put all Eastern European countries in one row. There are problems with Hungary and Poland. As for the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, I think they are just waiting for real reforms from Europe. They were disappointed, because before the introduction the European Union was considered a paradise. In fact, the problems of Europe were already very deep at that time. Therefore, it is important to create a new agenda for Europe based on common human values. It is very important to conduct this work with the countries of Eastern Europe, realizing that they belong to the European civilization.

Also, Europe needs to find opportunities for economic growth, because now it is very small. In France - about 1%. And in India, for example, economic growth is 9-10%. It is important to open a new horizon for the labor market, to solve the problem of unemployment. This will give new opportunities for cooperation between the EU countries and the states that are striving to join it.

The heart of Europe, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, is beating in the East. It is there that you can find the potential. I supported the European aspirations of Ukraine long before the Maidan. Yes, I am somewhat disappointed, because there is no necessary dynamics of reforms, but there is a certain relish of difficulties. Instead, you need to focus on problem solving.

- If Ukraine still succeeds in becoming a success story, and the EU can overcome the internal crisis, we, in principle, have very good chances of joining.

- Of course. But do you need to focus on membership, do you need to put the cart in front of the horse? I would not act like this in the place of the Ukrainian leadership.

- So you do not need to hurry?.

- First of all, we need to show the real results of the reforms. The priority should be the transformation of Ukraine, not membership. When the EU realizes that Ukraine is a new economic force, then your entry will be natural. All this is possible. But we need a person who would embody real change.

- What do you think, what is the course towards the EU followed by the Russian Federation?.

- Russia has taken a course toward bilateral relations with old Europe: Russia-France, Russia-Germany, Russia-Poland and so on. The idea of ??going beyond national sovereignties has never been in the minds of modern Russian leaders.

For me, Russia, like France, like other countries, is not associated with a single political regime. These are only periods in the development of states. So, Putin's Russia has always cut a wedge into European Russia, not understanding and rejecting it, proceeding from the fact that the West is rotten. But Europe now has a tremendous opportunity for revival. Therefore, Russia's diplomacy turned out to be in a weak position. Of course, it can move the vector towards China, but China's GDP exceeds Russia's GDP. These countries in different weight categories. The bet on Asia is short-term and short-sighted, because the future is connected with the European dimension, which was temporarily thrown out of the Russians' brains by Putin and his propaganda.

- That is, in the future you still see European Russia?.

- Of course. In Russia there has always been a clash of two tendencies: the desire for Europe, which was embodied by many leaders of the Russian intelligentsia, for example Turgenev, and the position of Slavophiles who believed that "Russia can not understand Russia's mind".

I have a hope that the European aspiration of the Russian Federation will find an outlet in the global world: through social networks, through protests of the younger generation. I think it will gradually change public and political principles, leading the country out of the double dimension.

- You explained the "phenomenon of Macron", but what about the "Trump phenomenon"? How dangerous is it?.

- Trump embodies a lie that will collapse sooner or later. USA - Great Democracy. And the current president simply does not fit into the American system of institutions. Trump and Putin are balls that will burst in the face of the reality of the global world. Trump says "no" to globalization with Twitter, which is just its manifestation. It is no longer possible to escape from globalization.

- Another manifestation of the world of "post-truth" - Brexit? What will the EU become without Britain?.

- First, one should never confuse Europe and the EU. Europe is a civilization that can not disappear. The EU is an organization, an interim institution created after World War II. I do not think that this institution in its present form will survive radical changes. It must be transformed.

Secondly, it is impossible to imagine Europe without the United Kingdom. This country is the oldest democracy in the world, which made possible the first industrial revolution. Brexit is stupidity. Of course, this is the voice of the people, which must be respected, but the people are not always right. Hitler, Mussolini, Putin, Trump were also elected by the people.

Theresa May wanted to hold a tough Brexit, but now her staggering position, she does not work. The way out of the EU fits into the world of "post-truth". And since this world is losing now, I think the Brexit issue will eventually be revised. Britain will again feel interest in a revived Europe.

- You raised the problem of democracy. Churchill, for example, said: "To be disappointed in democracy, it's enough to talk with an average voter for five minutes". Do you agree?.

- Of course. In my books and lectures I pay a lot of attention to the concept of "democracy". So, democracy is the three main stages. The first is debates, discussions, which by definition are contradictory, that is, it is pluralism. Second - elections. The third is the separation of power. If you came to power as a result of elections, you can not have absolute powers. But the average voter does not understand the essence of democracy.

In the 21st century, the democracy I'm talking about does not work or works very badly. Because there are such authoritarian countries as China, Russia, Turkey, Egypt, Algeria. They may have greater economic growth than the countries of democratic. Because in authoritarian states, the decision-making mechanism is very fast, it does not require agreement.

The question I always ask is:

does democracy have a future, if authoritarian China can now in fact buy the whole of Europe? My students answer me: "Democracy is first and foremost personal freedom, without which creation is impossible". But in any case, the future of democracy is one of the key challenges of the 21st century.

As reported by the "Observer", German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Europe can no longer count on the US.

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