Macron: Europe "from the Atlantic to the Urals"; Putin: "from Lisbon to Vladivostok"

During the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (24-26 May, 2018), French President Emmanuel Macron quoted French president Gen. Charles de Gaulle, by stating that Europe stretches from the "Atlantic to the Urals." De Gaulle looked to Russia to build a strong Europe that could counterbalance the American strength and give France an international role as a major power. Macron's remarks got the approval of the Head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Alexander Shokhin and of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who took the opportunity to re-launch the Eurasian project, stressing that Europe stretches from "Lisbon to Vladivostok" (see MEMRI Inquiry and Analysis No. 1239, Understanding Russian Political Ideology And Vision: A Call For Eurasia, From Lisbon To Vladivostok, March 23, 2016).

Emmanuel Macron: "I think that our relations have a great future. I believe that it embodies the idea that I have of Europe, and that it represents an aspect of French history. In fact, I think that Europe extends itself from the Atlantic to the Urals."

Alexander Shokhin: "Mr. President, this is perhaps... Perhaps the translation was not good. In fact, Europe extends from Lisbon to Vladivostok."

Vladimir Putin: "You anticipated me. I'm the one who wanted to say that. In fact, I thought I was going to start from this remark... But well, never mind."