Macron’s nuclear shield: the Élysée pushes for increased defense budge
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On Wednesday, March 5th, President Emmanuel Macron, in a national address, declared his intention to start discussions with other European countries regarding the availability of France’s nuclear capabilities – to defend European allies and Ukraine.
Macron called Russia a “threat to France and Europe,” and according to estimates provided by the French president, Russia is spending 40% of its state budget on defense and is already planning to add around 300,000 soldiers, 3,000 tanks, and 300 combat aircraft by 2030.
The EU is already moving to unlock trillions of euros in defense spending, both to confront the threat posed by current tensions between EU and Russia, and preventively, considering the increasingly marginal role of the U.S. in European security and defense.
After U.S., Russia, and China, France currently possesses the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons in the world. According to the Federation of American Scientists, France's inventory consists of 290 nuclear warheads.
The EU summit on Thursday, March 6th, is expected to approve the implementation of a mechanism that will allow additional defense spending over the next four years. Meanwhile, Macron has already announced that next week a meeting of the chiefs of staff of European nations’ armies will be held in Paris.
Macron called Russia a “threat to France and Europe,” and according to estimates provided by the French president, Russia is spending 40% of its state budget on defense and is already planning to add around 300,000 soldiers, 3,000 tanks, and 300 combat aircraft by 2030.
The EU is already moving to unlock trillions of euros in defense spending, both to confront the threat posed by current tensions between EU and Russia, and preventively, considering the increasingly marginal role of the U.S. in European security and defense.
After U.S., Russia, and China, France currently possesses the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons in the world. According to the Federation of American Scientists, France's inventory consists of 290 nuclear warheads.
The EU summit on Thursday, March 6th, is expected to approve the implementation of a mechanism that will allow additional defense spending over the next four years. Meanwhile, Macron has already announced that next week a meeting of the chiefs of staff of European nations’ armies will be held in Paris.