Greenpeace Delivers Macron Wax Statue to Russian Embassy in Bold Protest Over France’s Trade Ties with Moscow
June 3, 2025
In a striking and theatrical move that shocked Parisians and reignited the debate over Europe’s energy policies, Greenpeace activists on Monday removed a wax figure of French President Emmanuel Macron from the famed Grévin Museum and placed it directly in front of the Russian embassy in Paris. The protest, described as symbolic yet urgent, was aimed at denouncing France's continued commercial engagements with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Macron Statue Turned into Political Statement
According to eyewitnesses, the operation was carried out early in the morning by individuals disguised as maintenance workers. They smoothly extracted the life-sized wax statue without triggering any alarms or causing damage. The Grévin Museum confirmed the statue, valued at approximately €40,000, was temporarily removed but later returned in good condition.
Once delivered to the Russian embassy, the figure of Macron was surrounded by fake euro banknotes and a sign that read, “Business as usual.” This visual setup, Greenpeace claimed, represents what they perceive as France’s contradictory stance—publicly supporting Ukraine while continuing to import key Russian commodities.
Ongoing Trade Despite Public Condemnation
Despite France's official condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Greenpeace and other watchdog organizations say the country remains a significant consumer of Russian goods, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG), uranium, and certain agricultural exports. Jean-François Julliard, Executive Director of Greenpeace France, criticized what he described as a "dangerous duplicity" in the French government’s policy.
“France cannot proclaim solidarity with Ukraine while fueling the Russian economy through ongoing trade,” Julliard stated during a press briefing held near the protest site.
Greenpeace’s History of Bold, Visual Activism
Known for its high-impact and symbolic protests, Greenpeace has a long history of using non-violent, creative stunts to draw attention to environmental and geopolitical issues. In this instance, Macron’s wax figure was not merely a prop—it was a metaphor for political inertia and the perceived hollow nature of public diplomacy.
The choice of location was deliberate. The Russian embassy in Paris has previously been the stage for activist protests, including a 2014 incident where a wax figure of Vladimir Putin was vandalized—also by climate activists aiming to hold world leaders accountable.
Legal and Institutional Repercussions
As of this writing, the Grévin Museum has not indicated whether it will press charges against those responsible. Officials confirmed that while they were surprised by the breach, the statue suffered no damage and was returned promptly. Legal experts suggest the case could fall into a gray area between theft and civil disobedience, depending on whether the museum collaborates with prosecutors.
Public Reaction: Applause and Criticism
Social media platforms lit up with images and videos of the protest, sparking both support and controversy. Many users praised the activists’ ingenuity and commitment, while critics argued the act was disrespectful and potentially unlawful. The hashtag #MacronWaxProtest trended across European Twitter and Mastodon communities, highlighting the deep divisions around Europe's energy ethics.
Renewed Pressure on European Leaders
As the war in Ukraine drags into its third year, Greenpeace’s protest calls for European leaders to do more than just issue statements of condemnation. Activists urge a complete severance of trade ties that indirectly bolster the Russian military apparatus. For Greenpeace, the message is clear: symbolic gestures are not enough when billions in trade continue to flow into a nation accused of war crimes.
“This was not just about Macron,” a Greenpeace spokesperson said. “It’s about every European leader who says one thing and does another. The time for empty diplomacy is over.”