French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would open discussions with European allies on the possibility of extending France’s nuclear deterrent to protect the continent, underscoring the growing concern over Russian aggression and the shifting role of the United States in European security.
In a televised address, Macron stressed that Europe must prepare for a future where the United States may no longer offer the same level of support, particularly as Russia continues to escalate its military threats. The French president’s remarks come as Europe faces a rapidly evolving security landscape, with Russian military spending surging and American support for Ukraine becoming increasingly uncertain.
“I have decided to open the strategic debate on the protection of our allies on the European continent by our (nuclear) deterrent,” Macron said, highlighting France’s unique position as the only nuclear power in the European Union. He further emphasized that the decision to deploy France’s nuclear arsenal remains firmly in the hands of the French president, maintaining the country’s sovereignty over its defense strategy.
France and the United Kingdom are the only two nuclear-armed nations in Europe. But only France is a member of the European Union. The shifting dynamics of global security have made Macron’s proposition particularly timely, as the European continent grapples with Russia’s increased military activity and the evolving role of the U.S. in NATO’s defense structure.
Macron’s proposal for European Nuclear Protection
Macron, a staunch proponent of strengthening the European Union’s defense capabilities, pointed out that since 1964, France’s nuclear deterrent has played a pivotal role in maintaining peace and security in Europe. “Our nuclear deterrence protects us, it is complete, sovereign, French from end to end,” Macron said. “This protects us much more than many of our neighbors.”
Macron also warned that Europe was “entering a new era,” and that it would be “folly” to remain a “spectator” to the threat from Russia.
“The United States, our ally, has changed its position on this war, is less supportive of Ukraine and is casting doubt on what will happen next,” Macron said, adding: “I want to believe that the United States will remain by our side, but we need to be ready if that were not the case.”
Despite these tensions, Macron has made clear that Europe’s defense strategy must evolve, particularly in light of the United States’ changing stance on the war in Ukraine. “The United States, our ally, has changed its position on this war, is less supportive of Ukraine and is casting doubt on what will happen next,” Macron said, adding: “I want to believe that the United States will remain by our side, but we need to be ready if that were not the case.”
Poland and Baltic nations welcome Macron’s nuclear deterrent proposal
In Brussels, several Eastern European countries quickly welcomed Macron’s proposal. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country currently holds the European Union’s rotating presidency, called the proposal “significant” and said, “we must seriously consider this proposal.” He acknowledged that the details of any such initiative would require careful consideration but praised France’s willingness to engage in such discussions.
Poland’s approval was echoed by Baltic nations, which have been vocal in their calls for stronger European defense measures in response to Russia’s increasingly assertive military posture. Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda described the proposal as “very interesting,” adding, “We have high expectations because a nuclear umbrella would serve as really very serious deterrence towards Russia.”
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa also expressed interest in the idea, calling it “an opportunity to discuss” while emphasizing that more time would be needed for talks with other European allies and within national governments.
Macron’s remarks underscore a growing sense of urgency, with European nations seeking to bolster their defense capabilities while grappling with the uncertainty of American commitments.
Russia’s response
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov swiftly responded to Macron’s remarks, accusing the French president of directly threatening Russia with his rhetoric. Lavrov questioned whether Macron intended to use nuclear weapons against Russia, calling it a “threat” at a news conference.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reacted to Macron’s remarks, dismissing them as “extremely confrontational” and accusing France of focusing too much on war rather than peace. “One can conclude that France thinks more about war, about continuing the war,” Peskov said during a regular call with journalists.
France’s Nuclear arsenal and NATO’s role
France’s nuclear deterrent, considered one of the most formidable in the world, includes an estimated 290 nuclear warheads, primarily deployed through ballistic missiles aboard nuclear-powered submarines. These weapons represent about 80% of France’s nuclear arsenal, with the remaining warheads carried by long-range bombers equipped with air-launched cruise missiles.
Although France is a member of NATO, its nuclear forces are not integrated into the alliance’s military command structure, providing France with an independent deterrence capability. The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) reports that the United States and Russia possess over 5,000 warheads each, together accounting for roughly 88% of the world’s nuclear arsenal, with China and the United Kingdom trailing behind in terms of stockpile size.
British officials, however, have sought to clarify that the UK already contributes its nuclear deterrence capabilities to NATO’s collective defense. “The UK already commits its nuclear forces to NATO, helping to safeguard European Euro-Atlantic security,” said Tom Wells, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.