The president of France, Emmanuel Macron, stated that his nation is prepared to contribute to the protection of European territories, not just itself, and he was willing to start a conversation about a European defense that includes nuclear weapons.
In an interview with young Europeans conducted in Strasbourg and released by the newspaper "Ibra" on Saturday, Macron clarified that the conversation needs to cover long-range missile launches, nuclear weapons among those who possess them, and "those who have an American nuclear weapon on their lands."
Macron clarified that the anti-missile shields he advocated for Europe would resist all missiles and dissuade nuclear bombs.
He went on to say that European nations need to examine all of their options and choose what will best safeguard them.
He stated that Paris is entitled to deploy nuclear weapons in the event that its vital interests are in danger, and he added that these interests have a European component.
During his lecture on Europe last Thursday at the Sorbonne University in Paris, the French President urged the development of a dependable European defense in order to establish a "strong Europe".
He declared that in the face of Russia, which he said has grown more dangerous since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, European defense must stand with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Macron emphasized that the cornerstone of the French and consequently European military strategy is nuclear deterrence.
France has always wanted to develop a European defense, but its allies were reluctant to support it since they thought the NATO awning was more secure. But the conflict in Ukraine and the potential return of former US President Donald Trump to the White House reignited the discussion over European defense independence.
Sebastien Lecornu, the French Minister of Defense, revealed on Friday that France alone is capable of leading numerous crises that "do not suit NATO," and that is why a plan to establish a European intervention force by 2025 is being considered.
It is significant that France is now the only member state with a nuclear deterrent following Britain's withdrawal from the European Union.
