French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his willingness to initiate discussions regarding nuclear deterrence in Europe, suggesting that France may extend its protective capabilities to other EU nations in light of the security challenges posed by Russia.
European leaders are scheduled to convene in London on Sunday to deliberate on a peace strategy for Ukraine, followed by a European Union summit on Thursday.
The bloc is currently navigating the complexities of U.S. President Donald Trump’s openness to Russian diplomacy, particularly in light of a notable confrontation between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Trump at the White House on Friday.
In an interview with Portuguese TV RTP, which he shared on X on Saturday, Macron stated that if Europe aims for “greater autonomy” in defense and nuclear deterrence, its leaders should engage in discussions on the matter.
“I am ready to initiate this dialogue… if it contributes to the establishment of a European force,” he remarked. “France’s nuclear doctrine has always encompassed a European aspect in its vital interests.”
Marine Le Pen, the leader of the French far-right, quickly responded to Macron’s remarks.
“The French nuclear deterrent must remain solely French,” she asserted during her visit to the Farm Show in Paris on Saturday. “It should not be shared or delegated in any form.”
Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu echoed Macron’s viewpoint, emphasizing that while France’s vital interests include a “European dimension,” the nuclear deterrent remains under the exclusive authority of the French president.
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“Our nuclear deterrent is French, and it will stay that way: from the design and production of our weapons to their deployment, which is solely at the discretion of the President of the Republic,” he stated on X.
“It safeguards the vital interests of France, which can only be defined by the head of state.”
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