The war in ukraine. In csis. Were delighted to have you join us either watching here or online. The minister of france. Along with us teamed members of the impressive teams of France Foreign affairs. Thank you for being with used today. Ill turn to minister colonna. She is no stranger to the United States. A career diplomat. Her first posting was to the french embassey in embassy in the United States in the 1980s. She was a spokesperson for the presidency for the republic. Shes been ambassador to italy and san marino and ambassador to the united kingdom. Would be curious about your thoughts on brexit. She became minister of europe and foreign affairs. Minister colonna is an officer of the legion of honor, officer of the order of merit and commander of letters and ambassador of france in november, 2020. Thats not all. She has quite the resume. Its a very tremendous privilege to host her today as her visit to minister to the United States. Its been quite a year. Last fall the partnership hit the lowest point since the iraq war. The french ambassador was recalled from the United States since 1793. Not the first ambassador to be recalled. The second. Still been quite a long time. In the past year the relationship has been rebuilt. President biden and macron was able to right the ship and set it on the right course. The relationship is too important to let drift. France is our oldest ally and one of our closest diplomatic partner. Strong cooperation has been vital in forging a robust response to ukraine in february of this year. And President Bidens recent inhave i particulars to president macron to attend the First White House state dinner of his presidency attests the importance of that. And it is to take place in early december. And csis takes price in being one of the first think tanks in the world. So we are honored to host minister colonna to the United States. And a forum for her first visit on transatlantic relationships. This comes as a pichtal time. Theres so much Untapped Potential in the u. S. Franco relationship. We as countries are a bit too similar. They are both Democratic Rep licks. Were born of revolution. And sometimes to be frank we can really annoy the heck out of each other. We each think we are right and we know whats best. But we cant really let that hold us back. I hope with the ministers visit and the president macrons visit we are witnessing a new new dawn between france and the United States. Let me welcome minister colonna to the podium. Silence your phones. And after her remarks, well have a question and answer session that i will lead. Minister, please, welcome to the stage. [applause] ms. Colonna thank you. Thank you so much. Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, good morning, everyone. Its good to be back in washington after some time and good to see people that ive known for some time as well. Its a pleasure to be here with you. A young diplomat. Much has changed since then. I am 40 years older. My french accent is getting stronger and stronger. Ive been told that i will [indiscernible] and yet today as back then we are challenged to address the strategic confrontation. As recently with russia raining down in the ukrainian cities we are challenged with a power. [indiscernible] one more time. One more time. This is especially true for france and the United States which are strong and oldest allies. Now is the time to reaffirm our alliance and the principles on which it is based. I am deeply grateful for the center for strategic and International Studies for providing this unique opportunity to discuss the state of transatlantic relationships. Asia, the middle east, africa, we are indeed experiencing a time of deep turmoil. Unprecedented scale, i should say. Over the past eight months, europe has been at the crossroads of renewed geopolitical tensions. On february 24, russia unleashed its legal, unprovoked, unjustified and brutal aggression against ukraine. It ushered a new era of war on the continent. The likes of which europe has not seen since world war ii. Russias war violates the sovereignty. This is a fact. It puts the security and stability of europe and the european continent at risk. That is also a fact. But the stakes go farther yondu crane and europe. Beyond ukraine and europe. It threatens food insecurity. It undermines the fundamentals of military order which the france and the United States is committed to uphold the u. N. Security council. Sovereignty, nonaggression if russia goes unanswered, this could be the new normal. Anywhere in the world, those who are attempted to pursue through aggression, invasion, and crimes could feel encouraged. We cannot have that. As president macron, the General Assembly a few weeks ago in new york, we must push back and return to the age of [indiscernible] in the region. Irans Nuclear Ambitions fuel growing instability in the middle east and threaten the Nuclear Nonproliferation regime. Russia increases in africa as in the Central African republic. Exploiting resources and carrying out use fiber as their new weapon. Certain competition also increased and became even harder in the indopacific with certain aggressiveness as recently experienced in the strait of taiwan. Every year democrat and rep alike asks europe to take more responsibility on the world stage particularly when it came to its own security and shoulder a larger part of the burden. This is often been in nato target. We europeans are ready, able, and willing to meet our responsibilities. Over the past few years and especially in the context of the war in ukraine, the european unihas become even more a reliable partner for the u. S. Having faced several crisis over the last decade, europe could have collapsed. It didnt. And instead, it made significant headway in the economic front while dealing with the financial crisis in 2008. It overcame brexit which many was it showcased unprecedented solidarity and sufficiency during the covid19 pandemic. It demonstrated an impressive unionity, responsiveness, and determineness while confronting russias aggression over ukraine. In the Early Morning of february 24, president putin did not only make a strategic mistake regarding ukraine and the people of ukraine, with resistance and courage i witnessed during my three visits as minister to kyiv. He also made a strategic miscalculation regarding europe. Russia expected europe to shy away from the challenge. It expected weakness and division. The exact countery happened. We did stand united and we stand strong in facing russias invasion. Which we we acted swiftly. Within 48 hours of invading ukraine, the European Union adopted massive the 27 Member States had eight rounds of massive sanctions. Just last monday, three, four days ago, with my fellow e. U. Colleagues iranian drones we started to work on a ninth sanctions package and we decided to sanction iranian individuals and entities responsible to drones transfer to russia. The sanctions way adopted in a record time. It in close coordination with the United States and our other g7 partners, these sanctions are targeting those responsible for the invasion and for the horrendous crimes carried out in ukraine. Theyre working to crippling the kremlin efforts of course, defense industries. Critical technologies, goods like semi conductors, responsible, has been dramatically reduced if not cut off. And this is only the beginning. We stand by all partners and we will support them as long as it takes. Since the beginning of the war, europe has mobilized over 20 billion euros in humanitarian, macroeconomic, diplomatic and of course military assistance. Without even mentioning the 17 billion euros paid to support 10 million refugees, 10 million ukrainian refugees welcomed by our e. U. Countries. We pledged more than three million forgive me three billion euros under the european peace facility to boaster bolster the capacity of the forces. As to the signature bilateral efforts of every single european states, weapons, intelligence, or training, the e. U. Also launched this monday a military Assistance Mission which will train up to 15,000 ukrainian soldiers including 2,000 on european soil and we are helping ukraine request assistance. Nine billion have been pledged. An additional two billion have been disposed. We are doing our part and our hand is steady. Europe is working with the United States to limit its economic impact. We must convince the citizens that we, the e. U. And the u. S. , are doing our most to tackle the issues. This is a response. It is the testament. First, European Defense is taking shape. In one short area, we have gone e. U. Leaders adopted an ambitious agenda sovereignty both on economic and on security issues. This means achieving reducing oil and gas imports. This means to better secure our supply chains and reducing our dependence towards external suppliers, such as china. This means pursuing a new agenda of common defense investments in europe and a common approach to the threats were facing and to the strategic compass of the e. U. Let me talk about the relationship between the e. U. And nato. There is a misconception would undermine nato. It is not new. Let me say that nothing can be further from the truth. Nothing. I stated clearly in the nato summit last june. I stated in the e. U. Summit in march. This autonomous European Defense is not only compatible to but complementally to nato. Nato is and will continue to be the cornerstone of our collective defense. A stronger nato is good for europe. Just as a stronger europe is good for nato. As you know, france is significantly contributing to the reinforcement of natos culture in Eastern Europe right now. Were doing it. We are in romania with a deployment. We are in estonia. And we take part in efforts and missions in the baltic states. While strengthening the contribution to the military posture, russia has pushed for a common defense and Security Policy for the e. U. To the to the e. U. Council during the first half of this year. A certain trend is also taking shape. With a Political Community that goes beyond the European Union. On may 9 of this year, president macron expressed the ambition told the whole continent and the so to speak. Six months later on october 9, the european Political Community held its first meeting under the czechs presidency. 44 european heads of states attended this first meeting, including the u. K. , which is interesting. Displaying unity, the community serves as a strategic purpose. Strengthening our common resilience through concrete cooperation projects in the area of, for example, Critical Infrastructure protection, the fight against cyber crime, Energy Supplies and mobility, among others. In africa, france is pushing through a massive increase of government aid. Frances aid to africa, for example, as a doubled between 2017 and 2022, doubled. The assistance will reach the highest level ever this year with 14. 8 billion. And i would like to say a few words another area, the indopacific, and a strategic, economic, democratic and environmental future is clearly being defined. During my official visit to india last month, i expressed our goal, clearly, as a nation in both the indian ocean and the pacific, france is committed to upholdling the liberty of sovereignty in the region. To put it clearly, there can be no choice if there is with so many strings attached. France adopted the strategy for the indopacific some time ago in 2018. And france was instrumental in the adoption of an e. U. Strategy for the indopacific. That is new. In 2021. Our ambition, i just mentioned it, is to propose a model of xoopgs cooperation to the region, promoting upholding the rule of law. Supporting an open and full environment for trade. Supporting connectivity and green transition. With its global gateway initiative, in particular, the e. U. Is offering Infrastructure Projects in key areas such as health, transport, and the internet. In the defense and security realm, europeans are also individually Member States and collectively e. U. Increasing the Operational Presence and partnerships with like minded countries from the indian ocean to the pacific. Ladies and gentlemen, theres no denying that the transatlantic relationship has experienced its ups and downs. We all know that. But the truth is, the alliance between france and the u. S. Is unquestionable. It is unquestionable because of our common history. Because of the extraordinary connection that exists between our peoples, our values, and our Strategic Interests. Having carefully looked into the new and National Security strategy, the Biden Administration just released last week, and france going through a similar process as well, i instruct the converngens of our assessments. Just as the u. S. , we are moved to an era of increasing geopolitical competition between powers eager to reshape the world order. Just as the u. S. , we recognize the urgency of modernizing our military to culp with this new environment. But also to use diplomacy and to address global challenges that call for more international cooperation. Cooperation is also needed. And just like the u. S. , we see a pressing need to support valuebased partnerships in order to protect our common goods. 60 years ago to the day on october 22, 1962, came to present evidence of soviet in cuba. They did not need to see the photographs. [indiscernible] so france may be a sometimes. As it always speaks its mind but it is an ally that is able and willing with the full spectrum military and the strategic culture which has always led us to shoulder our responsibilities. This is what i wanted to tell you today. France is your ally and your friend. So is europe. Our alliance is based on solidarity, transparency, and respect of the given word. Predictability and trust. We can go further by building president s biden and macron in rome in october of last year. We need each other and we need to be able to trust each other. This led me to say it is in this regard a very positive signal that president macron has been invited to the United States of america. That this is first visit since President Biden took office and this is real honor for my country. Deeper cooperation in areas such as space, energy, and digital tack nothings and Regulation Technology and regulation. We need to do it by supporting the trade and technology councils. So we are partners. We are partners. But we may also find ourselves competitors in certain areas. That is quite normal. And in this case, we need to find a way to regulate our competition. This is the best way to maintain the Strategic Interests we share. I believe it is important that colleagues in washington are aware of some questions and concerns. Some of the ideas, for example, adopted in the Inflation Reduction Act can from our point of view impact the level Playing Field between the u. S. And the european actors, creating a risk between our economic interests. Wewe must not allow that to happen. We are committed to maintain the unity and solidarity that have prevailed between allies since the outbreak of the war. The Democratic Values we share on both sides of the atlantic are under siege. Propaganda, disinformation come outright lies targeting us. Similar attacks have gone to try to achieve one goal, undermining us and what we stand for with socalled alternative models which are undemocratic and not supported by revisionist powers. We are committed to preventing a rift with the global south, socalled global south, which the kremlin propaganda is all too eager to encourage. In this regard, russia stands alone on the world stage, only supported by countries like north korea. We must build upon this new partnership to tackle the global challenges facing us all. Can we change global health, food supply, biodiversity are not only, goods, they are new frontiers for global security, stability, and prosperity. The new frontiers for all humidity where we share all common interests. We need inclusivity to demonstrate the most efficient tool to settle disputes, and provide stability and development to all. We need to be clearheaded about the way our partners in the south sometimes perceive us. Allow me to end on this note. Facing significant challenges, but im convinced our partnership is more crucial than ever and would only become more and more crucial in the years to come. Thank you for your attention. I am ready to take a few questions. Thank you so much. [applause] thank you so much. There is much to discuss. Maybe i will just start with a little with about the state visit. You mentioned in your remarks france hopes to see greater cooperation on space, energy, digital, and trade and tech counsel. Beyond that, beyond the specific areas, what do you hope to get out of the state visit . Do you hope to establish a new partnership, new relationship with the United States . Thank you for that key question. We demonstrated every single day here as well but to go even further for two key reasons, first, we must deliver on can curate concrete results within the framework adopted a year ago. Affecting the trust between the nations, the reliability of nations. Put everything on the table. They had a decision i would say to do better. They achieve a roadmap. It is time to translate this work into decisions, whether it is regarding triad energy and human exchanges. Again, so many other areas, Nuclear Field from a civilian. That is one of the things we would like to see, going one step further. In addition to that, and maybe even more fundamentally, i would say considering what happened in the world for the last 12 months , it is important to give the signal that we are together to believe in the International World space order, countries believe and democracy principles. People believe in universal values in the rule of law. We are determined to tackle these challenges together, whether it is on the european continent or israel. There are so many global challenges now that it is time to show we are determined to go further. We absolutely do realize what is happening. Nobody is naive in the world, none of us. We would like to make one step further. Unity between us come up with the messaging are giving to the world. We are longstanding relations, ups and downs as i mentioned. At the rest of the world is watching us even more than before. I would ask about european baton, autonomy. This has been a major theme of macron. There is been some wariness in the part of the United States for different parts of washington that essentially european autonomy means tripping away from the United States. I think you have given a strong rationale of why that is not the case, why this would be complement or to the United States. I am curious how the Biden Administration is receiving that message. Theres been lots of progress on the trade and tech counsel but budget process on the security dialog. How is the Biden Administration hearing that message that european strategic autonomy means a stronger europe . Not something that is difficult to address between the two president s because they share the same views. Indeed, it is complement her and indeed it is most needed to have a strong nato. I believe a reliable and Strong Partner for nato, good ally, and to have a better equipped europe. Whether it is i mentioned leveling up, if i may say, of our defensive front. Going beyond the defense aspect, we must regain the capability we saw during the pandemic. Ppe or some medicine that we could not produce in europe anymore or the u. S. Anymore. I think there are alliances on this. I think they are aligned on this. If there is still a question mark about complementary nature of what we are, it is the misconception of what we are. Therefore so much tried to explain i mean, on. Look at the world as it is. I want to turn to the war in ukraine and russia. Putin has doubled down, mobilizing much of his country, now firing missiles and kamikaze drones at the ukrainian public. Could you maybe assess what do you think the situation is right now in the kremlin . What is their decisionmaking like . You mention he miscalculated over europes resolve. Do you think this is another miscalculation that putin war is doubling down on thewar . How do you see his political situation . I think he made several decisions. On the military front, the idea was probably kyiv. Did not happen. The second on the international scene, we must be very vigilant and active and explaining what is at stake, by the way, is not the security of the continent but the world order. Nobody can afford that in europe or elsewhere. They did not progress. Isolated from the beginning. They are still isolated. Just a handful of countries that exactly the type of countries we are partners with. Probably another miscalculation as a consequence of these facts been driven on the russian front call for a partial mobilization. Not exactly welcome. We have hundreds of thousands of people who have left the country as a consequence of that. It is a question mark of for all of us, this decisionmaking process in the kremlin but it is quite clear that it is an isolated power as well. So it leads to some you would say doubling down. Going in the same trend but further and further. That is why we have to be ready but calmly and steadily be there to support ukraine, support the International World order, and be there to defend our values and be there together, being careful not to offer the kremlin an invitation to divide us. Im a bit worried i touched a moment ago in my introduction remarks, the alignment of the policy, which is what we are doing right now. Leslie supported by the alignment of our economic cooperation. That is why the answer to the question is key, i believe. I want to ask you, are we miscalculated a leader miscalculating is one thing, a leader that missed calculus with Nuclear Weapons is another. There has been a lot of concern about russias potential use of a Tactical Nuclear weapon on the battlefield. How concerned about that are you . If russia were to use a Tactical Nuclear weapon, what would frances response be in that situation . I would say wisely two things. First, never answer ever in a hypothetical question. Especially this one. Second, when we talk about Nuclear Weapons, i think it is necessary to be cautious but also to limit the word were using. I say we call on russia to act as a responsible power as it has to do considering status of being a nuclear power. Those are very wise answers. Let me prod a little bit about frances provision of military assistance to ukraine. On the one hand, france and the European Union and the European Countries have provided significant military assistance, provided is a broad assistants are brought including the eu, but also feels insufficient that ukraine is fighting a Global Military power effectively on its own. Looking up at the prospect of this war six month from now or three months from now, do you see france increasing global assistance . Do you think europe will be able to provide increased assistance . What youd say to those is a theyre not provided the near amount of assistance viewed has provided . Quickly i would say two things. Were doing our part and doing it efficiently. Regarding france, as you might remember, we made the choice not to get every detail public. We have promised to deliver. We dont want to make every thing public before hand because it is not useful information i believe not to help ukraine if we were to do so. But all in all, we do our part and we bring forth our help since the very beginning. We do it in Close Partnership with ukraine from ukrainian demands and needs. Artillery and we continue to do so. We have delivered missiles and light armored vehicles. I have been to kyiv three times. I met president zelenskyy and other ministers every time i went there. I can tell you president zelenskyy appreciates what we are doing and the efficiency we have delivered. What we deliver is what they ask for. So we have done that. With training and a capacity to use whatever material we deliver. Quickly on the eu, i saw it recently has been increased by another 500 million. Up to 3 billion. That fund is now running short of funds. It has used up half the amount of money that has been allocated to last until 2027. Does france support increasing or finding some other vehicle to essentially provide more assistance to ukraine through the eu . If needed, we will do it. I say if needed because it is not fully with increased by another halfbillion, reaching 3 billion now. Even of this piece this is the tool we have. It is an instrument the e. U. Budget found. We would love to do more. We mention today, we have been discussing and we will do it if needed. I want to ask a little about the back channel diplomacy that president macron has been playing with president putin that has brought a lot of criticism from Eastern European countries, a lot of criticism on twitter. What would you say to those critics . It seems like the diplomacy is fairly well correlated with ukraine and United States. What about the macronputin conversation . If, correct to slightly, it is fully coordinated with france but force it is. They are not easy conversations. They might be difficult and they dont produce all of the results we would like to see, that is clear, but we absolutely think it is crucial to keep a channel of communication with those making the decisions in russia coming russia, including president putin. The russian ministers. I even believe some if we think about it, putin is probably isolated now and is very strange vision of the world , the way it could be run. So isolation reinforcing fears would not be a good option. Whether all messages go across, clearly is not enough, but we need to use that opportunity to make him understand how we see things, what we believe he should do. We need to hear him we need him to hear, sorry, when we mentioned our assessment of mistakes he made, what he could do to move on in a different direction. And sometimes it is achieving some results like it did in the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear plant. After our conversations between president zelenskyy and others, clear the way for the mission in zaporizhzhia that happened after lots of negotiations, did happen. Along International Presence there. And possibly paving the way for security zone around the plant. It is too dangerous for the world to use that as a zone of confrontation. It is not as useful as we would hope for, but needed, critical, and we are not alone. I want to ask a quick question about enlargement. Ukraine was graded status to join the eu the summer, which i think was very important step that we here in the United States see, particularly e. U. Membership, critical to reconstruction, but future enlargement of the European Union has sort of been stuck. In order for the e. U. To enlarge and take on new members, does france believe a new treaty will be needed, a new treaty will be needed to reform how the e. U. Functions . Not quite. We believe and we believe and were not the ones who believe that eu treaty will be needed but we know the difficulties. The point is not to address the enlargement. The enlargement is a process. Everybody knows what the rules are. Nobody even the candidate countries to take a fasttrack where they would not be fully prepared when they join the eu, because they will join. You mentioned after the war we offered, and we did offer, again, black and white, the rules are clear, that there wi they will be welcome in the e. U. , not only as partners but members. We do our part sometimes countries have been joining because they were able to do their part. One of the goals of what we are doing is to help them realize that we are ready to welcome them and that to do their homework suggest quoting president zelenskyy, he said now it is up to us to do our job. I would ask a question about Foreign Policy in europe. A challenging moment where there has been tension between france and Eastern Europe. There now has been a change in the Italian Government which has been a Strong Partner of france and also tension with spain over the midcap pipeline. There has been some criticism of france that france looks out when it comes to your, looks out for its own National Interest first and really defend that very strongly. Does not always stand up for european interest. How do you assess the state of France Foreign policy, does france delete in europe . First of all, brexit was more of a challenge to the french ambassador to london come to the french minister europe and foreign affairs. It is done. We signed new agreements. We must turn now to a more positive future. It is no news that europe is diverse. But it is the fact that we have been able to not only stay united, including disguises that could have been challenging, but we progressed. Sometimes, a lot of times less of effort. It is not always easy, but we are progressing. Only a few years ago, nobody would have believed we could have come in borrowing capacity. Only a few years ago you know the history of europe. The economic market was created after failure it took some time, but we have been able to reach that step where Everybody Knows we had to have a more political europe and a more sovereign europe for the sake of us all, including for the sake of those partners who share our values. I will take one or two questions from the audience. Final question, you mentioned about climate change, for many of us in america, america happened this summer when the United States passed the reflation Inflation Reduction Act, taking bold steps on climate. Any provisions of that legislation require it being made in america and dont necessarily take into account the transatlantic dimension. Do you see this as a potential sort of trade war that could emerge similar to the airbus boeing dispute or do you think this is just sort of solvable issue . We are not looking for any war. It is a twofold reality. It is very welcome that the u. S. Are taking action to increase their reach of the Carbon Neutral goal. The speed up that was needed. And it was needed. So that is good news. We have to have the conversation of whether it will impact negatively not only the level Playing Field, but more deeply, what we call the economic alignment of our two additives that is absolutely needed for i think our common prosperity down the road and, especially in the current context of the war in ukraine, what it would require from all of us to stand up long term. We cannot afford any disruption, so we would be looking for some conversations on that. We will take one or two questions. A microphone will be coming to you. The one rule is coming must ask one question and two rules, identify yourself. Thank you for this opportunity. Madame foreign minister, my question is, france is an ally with saudi arabia. After the opec decision said europe is going to recession, the United States revisiting his relationship with saudi arabia. Will france be revisiting its relationship with saudi arabia at this time . I think we can take one more. Sir, in the back. Sorry to make you run. Thank you. My apologies if my questions overlap. I just caught the tail end. Concerning russia is creating their own share of the currency means of Economic Exchange in order to not be totally dependent upon the swift system, the dollar, and the euro images that indicate russia is not truly isolated . What do think that possibility is of the brics countries challenging that hegemony of the dollar in europe . Briefly regarding saudi arabia, i am sure it was a disappointment for many countries, including the United States i am sure, considering the engagement President Biden demonstrated very recently, actually. Not good news, either, for the rest of the world. In a time of war in ukrainian interest prices rising, potentially prices rising again, will affect the World Economy globally. Yes, there is a need to talk further with saudi arabia, but theyre not alone in the opec so we need to talk to other countries in the opec as well to see how we can bring down prices. That is needed becau