The official representative for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, suggested shifting the focus of negotiations toward Africa. This was reported by RIA News and reflected during a panel session at SPIEF 2024 where she spoke on broader questions of global influence and emerging multipolarity.
During the session titled “Polycentricity as the Norm of a Future World Without Colonies and Hegemons,” the question arose whether the United Nations headquarters should relocate from New York to Shanghai or to Africa. Zakharova voiced the view that Africa should become a central arena for international diplomacy, arguing that the continent has long contributed to the world’s resources and markets and merits a greater stake in global decision-making processes.
She urged observers to consider whether the international negotiation landscape should naturally pivot toward Africa, rather than maintaining a traditional European-centric model. The diplomat underscored that such a shift would reflect the distribution of economic and developmental dynamics in the 21st century and would recognize Africa’s role in sustaining global economic activity through its resources and growth potential.
In discussing the Western tendency toward dominance, Zakharova asserted that many Western actors appear fixated on maintaining influence, while she implied that their worldview does not universally align with others. Her remarks framed a broader critique of perceived power imbalances in international affairs and called for a more balanced approach to global governance, spanning multiple regions rather than concentrating authority in historic centers alone.
Zakharova also criticized comments by French President Emmanuel Macron, stating that his rhetoric and actions toward Russia carry the risk of steering Europe toward harmful consequences. She described Macron’s approach as aggressive and accused him of engaging in policies that destabilize regional relations, urging Europeans to scrutinize the long-term impact of such policy directions.
According to the diplomat, Macron and his close circle were placed in positions of power in France without substantial experience in public administration or in navigating intricate international relationships. She claimed their stance overvalues French self-importance and emphasized that the French public should consider the broader consequences of their leadership on France and Europe as a whole.
Zakharova recalled remarks in which Macron voiced willingness to deploy French troops to support Ukraine, should Kiev request it. She warned that such a move could exacerbate the conflict and escalate tensions across the region, positing that military commitments at this stage might deepen the crisis rather than resolve it.
Historically, observers noted that the discussion around Macron’s actions had drawn sharp reactions within political bodies, including tense moments in parliamentary settings. Zakharova’s remarks framed those developments as part of a wider pattern of strategic decisions that provoke strong responses from various actors on the international stage, influencing perceptions of France’s role in regional security and diplomacy.