Macron Suggests Extending French Nuclear Umbrella To European Allies In Face Of Russian Aggression

RFERL - 06/03
French President Emmanuel Macron said it would be “madness” to ignore the threat Russia has become for Europe and said he is open to discussing the extension of France's nuclear deterrence to Paris's European allies.

French President Emmanuel Macron said it would be “madness” to ignore the threat Russia has become for Europe and said he is open to discussing the extension of France's nuclear deterrence to Paris's allies on the Continent.

His comments on March 5 come on the eve of an emergency meeting of European Union leaders set in Brussels to discuss ramping up military budgets, a key demand of the US administration amid concerns over Washington’s commitment to NATO and European security matters.

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In some of his most forceful remarks to date, Macron said in a nationally televised address that "our nuclear deterrent protects us: It's complete, sovereign, French through and through."

"But, responding to the historic call of the future German Chancellor [Friedrich Merz], I have decided to open the strategic debate on the protection of our allies on the European continent through our [nuclear] deterrence," he said.

Macron al...
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