Macron proposes nuclear defense talks to protect Europe

France, the only nuclear power in the European Union, is now considering how its nuclear deterrent could help protect Europe.

In a televised address, Macron described Russia as a “threat to France and Europe” and announced his decision “to open the strategic debate on the protection of our allies on the European continent by our (nuclear) deterrent,” while stressing that control over France’s nuclear weapons would remain solely with the French president.

This comes after German election winner Friedrich Merz called for a discussion on “nuclear sharing” with France.

EU leaders will address nuclear deterrence, support for Ukraine, and European defense during a summit in Brussels.

“Europe’s future does not have to be decided in Washington or Moscow,” Macron said. He added that “the innocence of the last 30 years” since the fall of the Berlin Wall “is now over.”

Macron said Russia is spending 40% of its state budget on the military and plans to add 300,000 soldiers, 3,000 tanks, and 300 jet fighters by 2030.

Macron said allies must ensure that no new conflict breaks out between Russia and Ukraine after a peace deal, which will require “long-term support for the Ukrainian army” and may include deploying European peacekeeping forces. These troops, he explained, “would not fight on the front line” but would help guarantee that the terms of a future agreement are upheld. To discuss this, Paris will host a meeting next week with the chiefs of staff from European countries willing to take part in such a mission.

Macron also said he hopes to convince former U.S. President Donald Trump not to impose 25% tariffs on European goods. Trump has argued the EU has undermined trade with the U.S., which EU leaders deny.

Earlier, it was reported that U.S. President Donald Trump decided to delay tariffs on automobiles from Canada and Mexico by one month following a meeting on Wednesday with the heads of the three largest American car manufacturers.