French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans on Wednesday to engage in discussions with European allies about leveraging France’s nuclear capabilities to defend Europe against potential threats posed by Russia. This discussion comes in light of concerns over the possible reduction in U.S. involvement. As the sole nuclear power within the European Union, France holds a unique position.
In a televised address delivered on the eve of a significant European summit, Macron identified Russia as a definitive “threat to France and Europe.” He disclosed his decision to initiate “a strategic debate on the protection of our allies on the European continent by our (nuclear) deterrent.” Importantly, Macron emphasized that any decision regarding the use of France’s nuclear arsenal would remain exclusively within the jurisdiction of the French president.
The impetus for this announcement also stems from a recent call by Friedrich Merz, a prominent figure in German politics, for discussions on “nuclear sharing” with France. This topic is expected to be a key point at the upcoming European Union summit in Brussels on Thursday. The summit will also address broader issues of support for Ukraine and European defense mechanisms, in response to historical reliance on U.S. nuclear deterrents by European NATO allies.
Macron asserted that “Europe’s future does not have to be decided in Washington or Moscow,” indicating a clear desire for European autonomy. He remarked that the era of perceived security following the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall is over. Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Macron noted that Russia is allocating 40% of its state budget to military expenditure, with ongoing plans to significantly bolster its military might by 2030, including an expansion to include 300,000 additional troops, 3,000 tanks, and 300 fighter jets.
In this context, Macron raised questions about the likelihood of Russia confining its ambitions to Ukraine alone. He underscored the necessity of ensuring that Russia would not attempt any further aggression against Ukraine following a peace agreement. This involves providing Ukraine with sustained military support and potentially deploying European forces. These forces, Macron clarified, would serve not on the frontline but rather as peacekeepers, ensuring adherence to any signed peace accord.
This initiative will see a meeting of European nations’ army chiefs of staff willing to participate, to be hosted in Paris next week. Amid these developments, the backdrop also features U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls for increased European responsibility in continental defense. Trump’s administration has hinted at a potential reduction in current U.S. commitments. Concurrently, Macron expressed his intention to persuade Trump against imposing new tariffs on European imports, as the latter has threatened to do, which has been a point of contention between the EU and U.S. over trade dynamics.
