French President, Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday said his country would consider extending the protection of its nuclear arsenal to its allies, warning that Europe needs to be ready for the United States to not remain by their side in the Ukraine-Russia war.
Macron stated this in a live broadcast on his official social media channels, during which he stressed the need for Europe to continue assisting Ukraine and strengthen its own defense.
“I’ve decided to open the strategic debate on the protection by our deterrence of our allies on the European continent.
“Our nuclear deterrence protects us, it is complete, sovereign, French from end to end. This protects us much more than many of our neighbors,” he said.
He also warned that Europe was entering a new era, stating that it would be folly to remain a spectator to the threat from Russia.
The French leader reiterated his country’s commitment to both NATO and its partnership to the US, saying it needs to do more to strengthen its own independence in matters of defense and security.
Macron also announced that he would invite European leaders to a meeting in Paris next week to work on a plan to deliver a durable peace, which may include deploying peacekeeping troops to Ukraine once peace has been signed to prevent Russia from re-invading.
His comments come after Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, advocated for talks with France and the United Kingdom – Europe’s two nuclear powers – to extend their nuclear protection.