**Activists Steal Macron Waxwork to Protest French Business Ties with Russia**

The heist serves as a protest against the perceived contradiction in France's support for Ukraine while allowing trade with Russia.

In a surprising turn of events in Paris, a wax figure of President Emmanuel Macron was stolen from the Grevin Museum by Greenpeace activists disguised as employees of the museum. These activists, posing as tourists, managed to change their attire, drape the figure in a blanket, and execute the audacious theft through an emergency exit. The waxwork was later showcased outside the Russian embassy with activists expressing their discontent regarding Macron's stance on French businesses maintaining trade relations with Russia amidst its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

The display aimed to highlight what Greenpeace considers a contradictory position: while Macron publicly supports Ukraine as a prominent advocate for a ceasefire, French companies continue to import gas and fertilizers from Russia, undermining his stated commitments. Jean-Francois Julliard, head of Greenpeace France, criticized Macron for this “double game,” arguing that he should lead the charge among European nations to terminate trade agreements with Russian entities.

As per the latest analyses, since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has accrued over €883 billion from fossil fuel exports, including €228 billion from countries that have imposed sanctions, with the EU constituting the majority of the revenue. Julliard echoed the sentiment that Macron stands as a figurehead of this double discourse and should take decisive action in aligning France's economic policies with its political stance.

While there have been no arrests related to the incident, the theft of the wax figure, estimated to be worth €40,000, has drawn significant media attention. The symbolic act serves not only as an environmental statement but also as a broader critique of international trade practices during times of conflict.