Europe urged to strengthen defense without American support

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In a significant address to the French nation on Wednesday evening, President Emmanuel Macron emphasized Europe’s need to strengthen its defensive capabilities and support Ukraine independently of U.S. assistance, echoing a longstanding position of President Donald Trump.

Macron emphasized that Europe cannot remain passive observers in the Ukrainian conflict, calling for substantial military reinforcement to ensure continental security without American support. While expressing hope for continued U.S. partnership, he stressed the importance of European self-sufficiency in defense matters.

“The future of Europe does not have to be decided in Washington or Moscow. The threat is returning to the east, and the innocence of the last 30 years, since the fall of the Berlin Wall, is now over,” Macron declared per Le Figaro.

The French President, alongside British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, has been spearheading efforts to establish a European multinational peacekeeping force in Ukraine. However, European allies, including Britain, maintain that such an initiative requires American backing for security assurance.

"The future of Europe cannot be decided in Moscow or Washington."

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to his nation in a televised address, adding: "I want to believe that the US will stand by our side, but we have to be ready for that not to be the case." pic.twitter.com/AzWZUGuLdY

— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 5, 2025

The Trump administration has expressed reservations about framing any European peacekeeping mission as a NATO operation, citing concerns about potential nuclear confrontation between Russia and the United States. Instead, they advocate for an economic partnership with Ukraine through mineral rights agreements as a deterrent against Russian aggression.

“The path to peace cannot be through the abandonment of Ukraine. Peace cannot be concluded at any cost and under Russian diktat. Peace cannot be the surrender of Ukraine,” Macron stated, while acknowledging recent peace initiatives by President Trump.

Referencing the unsuccessful Minsk agreement of 2014, Macron cautioned against weak cease-fire arrangements. He underscored Ukraine’s strategic importance to European security and expressed concern about Russia’s military expansion.

“Who can believe in this context that today’s Russia will stop at Ukraine? Russia has become a threat to France and Europe for years to come,” Macron warned.

The French leader outlined plans to discuss France’s nuclear deterrent capabilities with presumptive German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, while maintaining French presidential authority over nuclear decisions. He also announced initiatives to boost domestic industrial capacity for military production and reduce foreign dependencies.

🚨Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov responds to French President Emmanuel Macron:

‘Any reasonable person would understand that Russia🇷🇺 does not want a war with Europe.’ pic.twitter.com/afMY0lPMAz

— Going Underground (@GUnderground_TV) March 6, 2025

Macron proposed funding these defense investments through private sector participation and government spending reforms, without increasing taxes. However, given Paris’s current political instability, with three government collapses last year and a divided National Assembly, implementing these plans may prove challenging.

While criticizing certain aspects of Trump’s policies, including proposed EU tariffs, Macron’s message aligned with Trump’s persistent calls for European nations to increase their defense spending rather than depending on American military support and taxpayer funds.

Trump has consistently criticized European NATO members, particularly Germany, for inadequate defense spending while maintaining extensive social programs. In response to renewed pressure from Trump’s presidency, Germany is now considering modifications to its borrowing restrictions to facilitate a trillion-euro investment in defense and infrastructure.

The EU is also adapting its spending regulations to accommodate increased military investments by member states. The EU’s 27 leaders are scheduled to convene in Brussels on Thursday for a special European Council meeting to address defense capabilities and Ukraine peace negotiations.