• Greenpeace activists stole Macron's wax figure for a protest at the Russian embassy.
• The protest criticized France's ongoing trade ties with Russia.
• Activists called for an end to imports of Russian fossil fuels and fertilizers.

On June 2, 2025, Greenpeace activists stole a wax figure of French President Emmanuel Macron from the Grévin Museum in Paris. They disguised themselves as museum employees, changed clothes, and managed to exit through an emergency exit with the €40,000 statue, which they later displayed in front of the Russian embassy as part of a protest against France's trade relationships with Russia. Jean-François Julliard, head of Greenpeace France, stated that Macron represents a "double game," supporting Ukraine while allowing French companies to continue trading with Russia, according to Le Monde and BBC.

The activists also attacked Macron's portrayal as a champion of resistance against Russia while failing to terminate contracts for gas and fertilizers. Greenpeace emphasized that these contracts contradict France's staunch support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. The protest aimed to urge the French government and the EU to phase out fossil fuel dependency on Russia and called for strict sanctions on imports linked to the nation, according to AA and BBC.

The incident highlights public discontent regarding France's dual stance on the conflict, as reports reveal substantial revenues for Russia from fossil fuel exports since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Notably, Russia has continued to earn billions despite international sanctions, raising questions about the effectiveness of these measures while French businesses maintain economic ties with Russia, as noted by AA and Le Monde.