French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his readiness to begin discussions on nuclear deterrence for Europe, stating that France could help protect other EU countries, given the security threats posed by Russia.
European leaders are expected to meet in London on Sunday to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine, followed by a European Union summit on Thursday.
Reports suggest that the bloc is grappling with US President Donald Trump’s willingness to embrace Russian diplomacy and the implications of an extraordinary clash between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump at the White House on Friday.
In an interview with Portuguese TV, which he posted on X on Saturday, Macron stated that if Europe wanted to move towards greater autonomy in defence and nuclear deterrence, its leaders should initiate discussions on the matter.
“I am available to open this discussion, if it allows us to build a European force. There has always been a European dimension to France’s vital interests within its nuclear doctrine,” he said.
Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu reiterated Macron’s stance that France’s vital interests include a European dimension, while also emphasising that the country’s nuclear deterrent remains under the exclusive control of the French head of state.
“Our nuclear deterrent is French, and it will remain so: from the design and production of our weapons to their implementation by decision of the President of the Republic,” he said on X.
