MUNICH: France has indicated the possibility of extending its nuclear deterrence to cover the entire European continent, as President Emmanuel Macron called on European leaders to independently reshape the region’s security architecture.
Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the Munich forum, the French president said Europe must develop a common deterrence capability against potential aggressors, stressing the need to “redesign our security architecture.”
He said Paris would initiate consultations with allied nations to formulate what he described as a “holistic approach” to nuclear deterrence, signalling France’s willingness to play a greater strategic role in Europe’s defence.
In remarks seen as reflecting Europe’s growing strategic autonomy, Macron emphasised that the continent should determine its own security framework, particularly in light of its geographical realities alongside Russia. “I don’t want this negotiation to be organised by someone else,” he said.
The comments come amid ongoing debate within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) about Europe’s reliance on the United States for extended nuclear deterrence. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte had previously said European security could not be guaranteed without the US nuclear umbrella.
France and Germany are also engaged in discussions aimed at aligning their strategic approaches, with the objective of strengthening European defence cooperation.
The renewed focus on European security autonomy follows tensions in transatlantic relations, including statements by US President Donald Trump regarding potential territorial ambitions toward Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Analysts say that if European efforts toward greater defence independence succeed, it could mark a significant shift in the continent’s security framework, reducing reliance on US strategic protection for the first time since the end of the Cold War.