France's President Macron checks the protection of allies using nuclear weapons – Diepresse.com
France could make its nuclear deterrent available to European allies in the future, says Emmanuel Macron in a speech on the state of the nation. His country will continue to help Ukraine.
According to his President Emmanuel Macron, France is open to using his nuclear weapons to protect his European partners in view of the threat of Russia. « Our nuclear deterrence protects us: it is complete, confident and through and through French, » said Macron on Wednesday in a speech on television. « But in response to the historical call of the future German Chancellor, I decided to open the strategic debate about the protection of our allies on the European continent by our nuclear deterrence. »
The possible future Chancellor Friedrich Merz had questioned whether NATO will remain in its current form by June. In addition, he had spoken out for talks with France and Great Britain about expanding their nuclear protection. France and Great Britain are the only two nuclear powers in Europe. France's nuclear deterrent strategy has so far been defensive and served to protect the country's own interests.
Air and sea-supported nuclear defense
France developed a nuclear deterrent decades ago, which was supposed to be Soviet Union and the USA regardless of the two powers that were dominating at the time. It is assisted by air and sea, whereby Rafale fighter aircraft and nuclear submarines can be used at any time and solely on the instructions of the French president. According to experts, the United States and Russia currently have around 88 percent of the world's total nuclear weapons. France has an estimated 290 nuclear warheads and the United Kingdom 225.
« Rightly concerned about current events »
Macron also said in his speech on Wednesday that France had to spend more for defense and would continue to help Ukraine. He added that he wanted to believe that the United States would « stay by our side ». However, Europe must be ready if this is no longer the case. « I know that they are rightly concerned about the current events that disturb the world order, » Macron said to the French people. Russia has become a threat to France and Europe. But it would be « madness » to just watch and do nothing, he added.
