Activists Pull Off Stunt, Steal Macron Waxwork to Protest Russia Ties

In a daring act of protest, Greenpeace activists stole a wax figure of French President Emmanuel Macron from the Grevin Museum in Paris, targeting the government's ongoing business relations with Russia amidst the Ukraine conflict.

 

In an unconventional protest, environmental activists from Greenpeace cleverly executed a heist at the Grevin Museum in Paris, stealing a waxwork figure of President Emmanuel Macron. Disguising themselves as museum staff, the activists entered as tourists, then changed clothes, covered the statue with a blanket, and made their getaway through an emergency exit. Shortly after, the wax figure resurfaced outside the Russian embassy in Paris, an act aimed at drawing attention to Macron's perceived hypocrisy regarding French companies that continue to engage in business with Russia.

Jean-Francois Julliard, the head of Greenpeace France, criticized Macron's "double game," emphasizing that while France supports Ukraine, many French companies still import Russian gas and fertilizers. The protest highlights the tension within European alliances as economic interactions continue amid ongoing sanctions. Footage captured by the activists showed the wax figure prominently displayed in front of the embassy, surrounded by slogans condemning Macron’s stance.

As tensions between Russia and the West persist, concerns remain that France's financial dealings with Russia may undermine its political posture. Despite the daring stunt, no arrests have been made, and the statue, valued at approximately €40,000, remains unaccounted for. The escalating war in Ukraine continues to keep Europe’s political landscape on high alert, with Macron advocating for stricter sanctions against Russia while also facing pressure to curb French trade links.