French President Emmanuel Macron has been in an interesting position as the Russian invasion of Ukraine rages on. While most Western leaders have cut off Vladimir Putin, Macron has kept a line of communication open with the Russian President.
Since December, Macron and Putin have had 14 contacts. After one particular call in February, photos were taken of Macron and posted online.
While they didn’t make a splash the first time around, the internet was reminded of them causing a new set of memes to form.
The \u00c9lys\u00e9e Palace released images of French President Macron after his call with Putin today, regarding the invasion of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/I1uOgNMuma— Visegr\u00e1d 24 (@Visegr\u00e1d 24) 1646749779
The photos above were initially shared after a call on February 18. They were taken by French photographer Soazig de la Moissonnière.
Macron’s call with Putin took place just days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Despite the frequency of talks between the world leaders, some are less than enthused over the outcomes between Macron and Putin. Some believe there’s been little to no influence over what actions Putin is taking.
So what better way to vent your frustration than to turn melodramatic photos into new memes?
pic.twitter.com/gcC4XxCbXC— Kristi YamaGuccimane (@Kristi YamaGuccimane) 1646830037
Same energypic.twitter.com/oXpurHLHvS— amereus (mxyzpltk) \ud83c\udf3b (@amereus (mxyzpltk) \ud83c\udf3b) 1646793489
Cartoonpic.twitter.com/5uZgP3n6nk— Ulfat (@Ulfat) 1646800450
To be fair, Steve Carroll pulls it off way better— Khankaiser (@Khankaiser) 1646774335
Same vibespic.twitter.com/W1Kb7HsuAN— Youcef Belkhiri (@Youcef Belkhiri) 1646782721
pic.twitter.com/VtdH4zA6gT— \u2119\ud835\udd59\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd5f\ud835\udd65\ud835\udd60\ud835\udd5e \u2119\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd5f\ud835\udd5b\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd53\ud835\udd5a \ud83d\ude08 (@\u2119\ud835\udd59\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd5f\ud835\udd65\ud835\udd60\ud835\udd5e \u2119\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd5f\ud835\udd5b\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd53\ud835\udd5a \ud83d\ude08) 1646750829
pic.twitter.com/84C7u0cLhw— Mohammad (@Mohammad) 1646778305
Macron’s open communication with the Russian President has many asking if it’s helping. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk warned Macron is being “used and manipulated” by Russian forces.
It was revealed humanitarian corridors led to only Belarus or Russia, instead of other, neutral countries. Meaning if Ukrainian citizens wanted to flee the war, their only option would be Russian controlled territories.
Despite his attempts to provide peace talks and negotiate a peaceful retreat of the civilian population, Macron’s communication with Putin has been pre-empted for Russian propaganda.
Macron’s attempts to appease Putin have become little more than a joke online, but there is still support for the work.
Much respect to Pres Macron for trying to reason with Putin.\nAn almost impossible task but the best person to try it.\nSo much respect for his humanity.— James Gorman\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@James Gorman\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1646776850
I still have distinct memories of feeling exactly like this ~April 1992 when it started to become clear what was going to happen in Bosnia as fighting escalated. \n\nYou see the rail is broken. You see the train coming. There's nothing you can do. Just utter despair.— Rumpole Supports \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Rumpole Supports \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1646774830
France and Germany will have to take on the burden of leadership and lead the EU in these uncertain times— CajunExpat (@CajunExpat) 1646752537
He\u2019s doing a great job in an awful situation l. Talking to Putin right now must be hell. The French should be proud. I am of Macron.— Elsa Skold \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Elsa Skold \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1646755902
Emotions don't exist, I guess.— Sweet Man, Thanks (@Sweet Man, Thanks) 1646752983
These photos aren’t the only thing resurfacing during the Ukrainian invasion.
Recently, a scene from Zelenskyy’s old TV show depicting Ukraine being mistakenly told they would be joining the European Union was compared to the country’s renewed efforts to join.
@witneycarson/Instagram
@witneycarson/Instagram
@witneycarson/Instagram
@witneycarson/Instagram
@witneycarson/Instagram
@witneycarson/Instagram
@witneycarson/Instagram
@witneycarson/Instagram
@witneycarson/Instagram
@witneycarson/Instagram
@witneycarson/Instagram
@ant___williams/Instagram
@pushforwardtvyt/Instagram
@kg_the_terrible/Instagram
@chillvibes/Instagram
@jadareneeholmes/Instagram
@ms.cherylblinks/Instagram
@calypso_cruz/Instagram
@missshell808/Instagram
@youroneandonlyeddie2/Instagram
@sheee1a/Instagram
@bboyninjadance/Instagram
@chiva1rous1/Instagram
@jimmykimmel/Threads