The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has once again declared himself ready to “open the debate” on a European defense that also includes nuclear weapons, in a dialogue with some young Europeans published this evening by the Ebra group newspaper. «I am for opening this debate which includes anti-missile defense, the launches of long-range weapons, nuclear weapons for those who possess them or who have American nuclear weapons on their territory – said the head of the Elysée – let’s put everything on the table and look at what really protects us in a credible way.”
According to Macron, France would maintain “its specificity, but is ready to contribute more to the defense of European territory”. After Brexit and Britain’s exit from the European Union, France is the only EU member country to have nuclear deterrence. In his speech on Thursday at the Sorbonne, the French president had called for a “powerful Europe” and the establishment of a “credible” defense Europe alongside NATO and in the face of Russia, which has become much more threatening since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“This – Macron explained to the young people who interviewed him – could mean deploying anti-missile shields, but we must be sure that they block all missiles and dissuade the use of nuclear power.” «Being credible – he added – also means having long-range missiles that dissuade the Russians. And there is the nuclear weapon: the French doctrine is that it can be used when our vital interests are threatened. I have already said that there is a European dimension to these vital interests.”