Europe is entering a new era, Russia poses a real threat, and peace cannot mean Ukraine's capitulation, said Macron and announced that as the only nuclear power in the EU, France can provide a nuclear umbrella over Europe.
Europe is entering a new era, Washington can turn its back on the Old Continent, Russia poses a real threat to France and Europe, and Ukraine cannot be abandoned - this was stated by French President Emmanuel Macron in an address to the nation.
Macron also said that Paris, as the only nuclear power in the EU, can provide a nuclear umbrella over Europe to protect its allies. "Our nuclear deterrent protects us: it is complete, sovereign, French", he stressed, adding that he had decided to open "a strategic debate on the defense of our allies through French nuclear power".
"We must continue to help the Ukrainians resist"
"Putin's Russia violates our borders to kill its opponents, manipulates elections in Romania and Moldova, organizes cyberattacks against our hospitals to hinder their work, and tries to influence public opinion with lies spread on social networks," the French president also stressed. That is why, according to him, "Russia has become a threat to France and Europe".
"We must continue to help the Ukrainians resist until they manage to negotiate a solid peace with Russia for themselves and for all of us. The path to peace cannot include abandoning Ukraine. Quite the opposite," Macron said. "Peace cannot be achieved at any cost and under Russian dictate. Peace cannot mean Ukraine's capitulation. It cannot be its collapse. It cannot mean a fragile truce."
According to Macron, ensuring long-term security will also include sending European forces to the territory of Ukraine. "They will not go to fight on the front lines, but will be there once the peace is signed to ensure that it is fully respected", the French president added.
Regarding the United States, he said he hopes for their support, but Europe must be ready if Washington does not provide it. "Whatever happens, we must be prepared", Macron is convinced.
"New era" begins with an emergency meeting in Brussels
After the sharp clash between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington froze all military aid to Ukraine. Hours later, EC President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a plan to arm Europe by mobilizing 800 billion euros, and on Thursday European leaders are gathering in Brussels for an extraordinary summit on European defense and support for Ukraine. A meeting that many commentators say could mark the "new era" for Europe that Macron is talking about. At the summit, the leaders of the 27 are discussing von der Leyen's ambitious plan to arm Europe and guarantee support for Ukraine.
The European Commission President outlined the situation this way: "I don't need to describe the serious threats we face and the horrific consequences we will be exposed to if these threats materialize.".
The leaders of the member states are discussing additional debts for the provision of air defense systems, drones and cyber intelligence - all of which have so far been provided by the United States. The European Commission is talking about 800 billion euros. This amount will be available if member states use all lending options to the limit, Sabrina Fritz from ARD comments. But this will be difficult to happen because some countries do not want to relax EU debt rules, and France and Italy are already heavily indebted.
The tough decisions facing Europe
Ukraine will continue to receive support under the "peace through strength" formula. This means more arms deliveries, but there are also objections. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is against additional money for Ukraine. The 20 billion euro package that EU High Representative Kaia Kallas wanted to offer did not make it to the summit agenda at all. Immediately before it, French President Emmanuel Macron held a private meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Orban in Paris.
Also controversial is the question of how the necessary armaments will be provided - whether the plan will include the "made in Europe" brand, i.e. whether European manufacturers will be preferred, as the industry on the Old Continent has declared. If the countries also do not harmonize their orders, the defense equipment will be very expensive, notes Guntram Wolf, an expert from the Bruegel Institute, quoted by ARD.
And although a meeting with Donald Trump is not planned, he will be at the table for every conversation, comments Sabrina Fritz from ARD. Because European countries need to rethink their relations with Washington. On one side is Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who insists on dialogue with the US and attempts at rapprochement, and on the other is the likely future Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, who has already repeatedly stated that Europe must become more independent of the US.