Emmanuel Macron has received a mixed response after his office released official photos of him hitting a punching bag.
The French president, 46, is pictured in dramatic black and white striking a bag with a pair of leather boxing gloves in images taken by official presidential photographer Soazig de la Moissonnière.
His pose has drawn comparisons to Robert De Niro’s in Raging Bull, with commentators suggesting that he aimed to mirror the “strongman” shoots by Vladimir Putin.
A regional French newspaper said the photos recalled infamous images of Putin's bare-chested horse riding or judo practice, calling Mr Macron's a display of “ultimate virility”.
Unsurprisingly, some raised suspicions that the photos had been “enhanced”.
Sceptics highlighted the appearance of his biceps, juxtaposing the boxing photo with another of Mr Macron showcasing a more slender arm.
Some suggested the images depicted Mr Macron, a keen boxer, was preparing for a confrontation with Russia and its 71-year-old leader, Mr Putin, with whom he has recently exchanged sharp words.
Women’s magazine Femme Actuelle wrote that the pictures showed the French president with “a determined look, as if he wants to do battle with his opponent … He seems to hit so hard that his biceps pop out from under his black T-shirt.”
Others were less impressed. French Greens MP Sandrine Rousseau reposted a photo with the comment: “What a defeat for progressivism. And what poverty of political communication.”
It comes after Mr Macron refused to rule out putting Nato troops in Ukraine.
He reiterated the point in an interview with Le Parisien, suggesting that France would not send armed forces to the Ukrainian battlefield on its own, but was ready for a Nato-wide intervention if one was ever called.
French government sources said the contingency plans were more likely to involve deployments to provide logistical support to the Ukrainian army than in frontline combat roles.
