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France to send military to protect Saudi Arabia on Red Sea oil route, Macron says
Reuters • • world
Key Points:
- France will deploy troops, radar, and defense systems to Saudi Arabia to protect the strategic Red Sea port city of Yanbu, crucial for energy exports, according to President Emmanuel Macron.
- Macron warned that a potential US ban on diesel exports, which the White House denies considering, would have catastrophic effects globally and on the US economy.
- Addressing domestic concerns over energy prices, Macron assured that France has sufficient gas and oil supplies for the upcoming winter and is working to prevent disruptions.
- Macron dismissed claims that the CIA warned France of drone attack threats from the Mediterranean but highlighted increasing Russian hostile acts against Europe, prompting France to prepare defenses against drone and cyber attacks.
- France's stance on Russia faced criticism after it secured an exemption for Russian metals tycoon Alisher Usmanov from EU sanctions, a move linked to Azerbaijan pardoning a jailed French national.
