Five months after the start of the war in Ukraine, the French president continues to raise his voice against the policy of Vladimir Putin, affirming that "when we say things and try to qualify them", "we give the means" to influence events.

Since his arrival in Africa, in Cameroon on Tuesday then in Benin on Wednesday, he has thus multiplied criticism of Moscow while, at the same time, the head of Russian diplomacy Sergei Lavrov, was also on an African tour to affirm his attachment to the continent.

"Russia is one of the last colonial imperial powers" by deciding "to invade a neighboring country to defend its interests there", said Emmanuel Macron during a press conference with his Beninese counterpart Patrice Talon in Cotonou.

President Macron and Foreign Minister Lavrov vie for influence in pan-African tours this week

'Sapere aude'