In a televised address, French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed the possibility of extending the protection offered by France’s nuclear arsenal to its European allies. This announcement comes amid rising tensions with Russia and concerns over decreasing American support for European security.
France and the UK are the only countries in Europe to possess their own nuclear weapons, with France being a member of the European Union. MACRON emphasized the importance of France’s nuclear deterrent in maintaining peace and security on the continent since 1964.
The idea of a “strategic dialogue” regarding France’s nuclear deterrence and its role in collective security has been discussed by Macron since 2020. However, these proposals previously received little attention from France’s allies.
Recent decisions by former US President Trump to reduce support for Ukraine and encourage European nations to increase their defense spending have prompted Europe to reassess its security infrastructure. Macron’s comments also touched on the idea of France being caught between an unreliable American ally and an aggressive Russia, which has increased its military spending to 40% of its state budget.
Macron also announced that France would convene European army chiefs in Paris to discuss deploying peacekeeping troops in Ukraine after the war. He emphasized that Europe’s future should not be decided in Washington or Moscow.
The move to discuss nuclear deterrence is a response to Friedrich Merz, who is expected to become Germany’s next chancellor. Merz previously stated that German authorities should be in talks with their French and British counterparts about extending their nuclear umbrellas.
While MACRON acknowledged that France’s allies do not possess the same nuclear shield as France, he stated that they could no longer depend on the American nuclear deterrent. He suggested a strategic dialogue with countries that do not have nuclear capabilities, emphasizing that this could make France stronger.
Twelve European nations have already shown interest in France’s proposal, but the idea remains controversial within France and raises questions about France’s sovereignty. MACRON’s political opponents argue that sharing the nuclear deterrent is not acceptable.
The French government has insisted that France will remain firmly in control of its nuclear weapons and the decision to use them. The defense minister, Sébastien Lecornu, stated that France’s nuclear deterrent is, and will remain, French, and that MACRON’s statements align with the long-held stance of French presidents, including Charles de Gaulle, that the country’s vital interests extend beyond its territory.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/05/world/europe/france-nuclear-europe.html
