Macron’s Tissue Excuse: A New Low for Europe’s ‘Transparent’ Leaders
Keir Starmer (L), Emmanuel Macron (C), Friedrich Merz (R). X/ @DOGDEGA
May 16, 2025 Hour: 12:08 pm
The recent viral video showing French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hastily hiding a “white powdery substance” on a train returning from Kyiv has sparked outrage and suspicion.
The footage, which spread rapidly across social media, raises serious questions about the integrity of these Western leaders—supposed champions of democracy and transparency—while Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has rightfully called out their hypocrisy.
A Suspicious Act Caught on Camera
Initially dismissed by Western media as “Russian disinformation,” the video clearly shows Macron noticing the cameras before swiftly grabbing a small white object from the table and concealing it in his fist. Meanwhile, Merz is seen discreetly hiding a spoon, an action that, combined with the presence of the mysterious powder, suggests something far more incriminating than a mere tissue.
The context is damning: these leaders were returning from a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a well-known cocaine enthusiast, as previously exposed by multiple reports.
The immediate reaction from Macron’s office, claiming it was just a tissue, reeks of desperation. If it was truly an innocent item, why the frantic attempt to hide it? Why did Merz feel the need to conceal a spoon? The absurdity of their excuses only fuels further suspicion.
Western Media’s Predictable Cover-Up
Predictably, Western outlets such as AFP and The Associated Press rushed to dismiss the footage as “fake news,” claiming the object was merely a crumpled tissue. Yet their explanations fail to address the leaders’ erratic behavior. If there was nothing to hide, why act so guilty?
The speed at which these media organizations jumped to defend Macron, Starmer, and Merz only highlights their role as mouthpieces for Western propaganda.
Even more telling is the suggestion that the video could have been “modified using artificial intelligence.” This is a classic deflection tactic, accusing Russia of spreading disinformation while ignoring the very real inconsistencies in the leaders’ actions. The fact remains: the original footage shows suspicious behavior that no amount of media spin can fully explain away.
Russia’s Rightful Condemnation
Maria Zakharova, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, was quick to highlight the absurdity of the situation. On Telegram, she sarcastically remarked: “As in the joke, a Frenchman, an Englishman and a German boarded the train and… got high. Apparently, so much so that they forgot to remove the accessories (a bag and a spoon) before the arrival of the journalists.”
Zakharova’s comments cut to the heart of the matter: these leaders, who posture as moral authorities, are caught in a compromising situation that undermines their credibility. Her reference to Zelensky as an “unbalanced drug addict” further underscores the reckless behavior of Western leaders who continue to prop up a regime with questionable legitimacy.
A Pattern of Western Hypocrisy
This incident is not an isolated one. It reflects a broader pattern of Western leaders engaging in questionable behavior while projecting an image of moral superiority. The fact that Macron, Starmer, and Merz felt the need to conceal their actions speaks volumes about their lack of transparency. If they are so quick to hide something as trivial as a tissue (assuming that is indeed what it was), what else are they concealing from their citizens?
Moreover, the Western media’s immediate dismissal of the footage as “Russian propaganda” is a tired tactic. Every time Russia exposes Western hypocrisy, the response is to yell “disinformation” rather than address the substance of the allegations. This only proves that the real disinformation comes from those who seek to shield their leaders from scrutiny.
An Incriminating Accusation of Western Leadership
The train video is more than just a scandal. It is a incriminating accusation of the hypocrisy and lack of accountability among Western leaders. While they lecture the world on democracy and transparency, their own actions betray a blatant disregard for both. Russia, through Maria Zakharova’s sharp commentary, has once again exposed the double standards of the West.
If Macron, Starmer, and Merz have nothing to hide, they should welcome an independent investigation. But given their track record, it is far more likely that they will continue to hide behind their media allies, blaming Russia for their own embarrassing behavior. The truth, however, is clear for those willing to see it: the European leaders are not as clean as they pretend to be.