French President Emmanuel Macron seemed to warn against labeling Putin on Sunday.

"I wouldn't use terms like that because I'm still in talks with President Putin,” Macron said during an interview on French Channel France 3.

I am trying on a suit of clothes, designer label Contrarian.

One sleeve is a bit longer than another. It says the U.S. and NATO must remain aligned.

The other shorter sleeve points out that Putin already thinks the U.S. and NATO are one and the same, that the U.S. calls the shots and its French poodles in Europe simply heel.

What is the effect on the viewer who sees us in a seemingly ill-fitted suit. Is he confused? Do we intend to confuse him? Or is he so dim-sighted that he still sees only the standard Western suit? 

Does not our viewer also present as mismatched? Is that not in fact his standard dress? The perfectly tailored ensemble in reassuring tones with matching French off-the-cuffs at one presentation; the bare-chested barbarian rider in another?

Our suit is made, it must be worn. The irreconcilable cannot be reconciled. Vive le difference.