French President Emmanuel Macron said in an address to the nation today that he wanted to discuss providing European allies with protection using French nuclear capabilities, adding that Russia poses a real threat to the continent's security and that US military support is no longer guaranteed, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
„Overall, our prosperity and security have become more uncertain. I must say that we are entering a new era“, Macron said.
„Russia has already turned the war in Ukraine into a global conflict. It mobilizes North Korean soldiers and Iranian weapons on our continent, helping these countries arm themselves,” he said, adding: “Putin’s Russia violates borders to organize attacks against its opponents, manipulates elections in Romania and Moldova, organizes cyberattacks on our hospitals to hinder their work. Russia tries to manipulate public opinion in our countries with lies spread on social networks. And in the end, it tests our capabilities. It does it in the air, at sea, in space and from our television screens.”
“Who will believe in this context that Russia will stop with Ukraine? Russia has become, as I speak, a threat to France and Europe for years to come,” Macron said, adding: “Faced with this world full of dangers, to remain mere spectators is pure madness.” It is urgent to take decisions on Ukraine, on the security of the French and the Europeans.
“I want to believe that the United States will support us. However, we must be ready if that is not the case“, said the French president, adding: “Given the Russian threat that I have just described, European countries must be able to defend themselves better and deter any aggression [...] We must arm ourselves better, increase our defense capabilities, for peace, even for deterrence. In this regard, we remain committed to NATO and our partnership with the United States. However, we must do more. Strengthen our independence in defense and security matters.“
“The future of Europe must not be decided in Washington or Moscow. And yes, the threat is returning from the East and the innocence, so to speak, of the last 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall has already passed“, Macron pointed out.
“In response to the historic call of the future German Chancellor, I have decided to launch a strategic debate on the defense of our allies on the European continent through our (nuclear) deterrence. Whatever happens, the decision has always been and will remain in the hands of the President of the Republic, the head of the armed forces“, assured the French leader.