French President Emmanuel Macron has offered to discuss extending France’s nuclear deterrent to European allies, breaking new ground as Europe grapples with shifting US policy.
Donald Trump’s warming ties with Russia have prompted European countries to beef up their defense budgets.
"I have decided to open the strategic debate on the protection of our allies on the European continent by our [nuclear] deterrent," Macron said during a televised speech to the French nation on Wednesday evening.
He made clear that the ultimate decision to use nuclear weapons would “remain only in the hands of the French president.”
The French proposal, once met with deaf ears across Europe, is now finding willing listeners.
Reactions: Other European Leaders
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk acknowledged the idea wasn't new but called it "something worth considering."
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen struck a similar tone, saying: "Everything has to be on the table now."
Rising Defence Spending Stretches French Budget Thin
France already plans to boost military spending by €3 billion yearly until 2030, but Macron now calls for European defence budgets to reach “around 3-3.5%” of GDP – well above NATO’s current 2% target. For France, this jump would cost an extra €30 billion annually according to estimates.
Finding this money won’t be easy. France struggles with one of the EU’s biggest budget deficits and just passed its 2025 budget after weeks of delay in a divided parliament.
Finance Minister Eric Lombard insisted that welfare spending wouldn’t be cut to foot the bill, hinting instead that “those with substantial savings” might need to chip in more.
Britain & Germany Step Up
The push comes as other European countries step up.
Germany’s likely next government agreed on a major debt overhaul to fund defence, while Britain’s Keir Starmer aims to lift military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027.
Macron Rejects Ukraine Ceasefire Without Guarantees
In his speech, Macron firmly rejected any quick peace deal that would simply hand Ukraine to Russia. “The road to peace cannot pass through the abandonment of Ukraine,” he declared. “Peace cannot be a Russian diktat.”
Instead, he outlined a different plan: an initial truce to test Russian intentions, followed by talks for a lasting ceasefire with firm security guarantees.
European Peacekeepers: ‘Coalition of the Willing‘
This might even "require the deployment of European forces" - not to fight now, but to uphold peace once an agreement is reached, Macron said.
A meeting of top generals from willing nations is set to happen today, the 11 March, in Paris.
Macron warned that Russia now spends 40% of its state budget on its military and plans to add 300,000 soldiers, 3,000 tanks and 300 fighter jets by 2030. “Who can believe that today’s Russia will stop at Ukraine?” he asked.
Trump’s Shift Forces Europe to Stand on Its Own
The French president didn’t mince his words about French-American relations.
"The United States of America, our ally, has changed its position on this war, supporting Ukraine less and leaving doubt about what comes next," Macron stated.
While claiming “we remain committed to NATO and our partnership with the US,” he added that “the future of Europe does not have to be decided in Washington and Moscow.”
His warning was stark: "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."
Europe’s evolving security concerns are evident in the renewed nuclear talk.
As defence expert Pierre Haroche explained, "Trump has clarified the debate... the credibility of US nuclear dissuasion is not what it was."
The exact workings of a French or Franco-British nuclear umbrella remain unclear.
Options might include stationing French nuclear-armed planes in countries like Germany or Poland, patrolling European borders, or setting up airfields for quick deployment in emergencies.
Europe Unites More on Defense than on Ukraine Support
At Thursday’s extraordinary summit in Brussels, all EU leaders backed conclusions on bolstering European defence, though Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán opted out of statements supporting Ukraine.
European Council President Antonio Costa hailed the bloc's overall unity, noting that "Hungary is isolated - 26 are more than one."
Ongoing talks this week in Jeddah, with Ukrainian and U.S. officials meeting, offer a possible détente following Zelenskyy’s clash with Trump in the Oval Office yet reports remain sceptical about any significant breakthrough for the Ukranians.
Keep up with Daily Euro Times for more updates!
Read also:
Pay Your Respects: A Swedish Nuclear Graveyard
Yakuza Boss Admits Offering Iran Nuclear Material
The Trump Factor: Europe Charts Its Own Path on Defence
