Russia Criticizes Macron’s Proposal to Extend France’s Nuclear Deterrence to Europe
Russian officials have criticized French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent proposal to extend France’s nuclear deterrent to protect European allies, labeling the remarks as provocative and confrontational. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov interpreted Macron’s speech as indicative of France’s desire to continue the ongoing conflict, stating, “One can conclude that France thinks more about war, about continuing the war.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov echoed this sentiment, perceiving Macron’s comments as a direct threat to Russia.
In a televised address, President Macron proposed initiating strategic discussions on utilizing France’s nuclear capabilities to shield Europe from potential Russian threats. This initiative comes amid concerns over the reliability of U.S. security commitments under the current administration. Macron emphasized that any decision to deploy nuclear weapons would remain solely under French presidential authority.
The proposal has garnered a mixed response within Europe. Countries like Poland and the Baltic nations have welcomed the idea, viewing it as a significant step toward enhancing regional security. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the proposal as “very significant,” while Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda referred to it as a “very interesting idea” that could serve as a serious deterrent against Russia.
Conversely, Russia perceives Macron’s proposal as escalating tensions. The Kremlin has accused France of engaging in “nuclear blackmail” and pursuing ambitions to become the nuclear patron of Europe. Russian officials argue that such actions do not contribute to strengthening security and may prolong the conflict in Ukraine.
These developments occur against the backdrop of an emergency summit in Brussels, where European Union leaders are deliberating on increasing defense spending and enhancing military cooperation to address security challenges posed by Russia. The discussions also involve considerations of Europe’s strategic autonomy in defense matters, especially in light of potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy.
