Macron is set to “open the debate” on a European defense that includes nuclear weapons

“I am ready to open this debate that must include missile defense, long-range capabilities and nuclear weapons for those who have or host American nuclear weapons,” the French president said in an interview with the EBRA newspaper.

“Let’s put everything on the table and see what really protects us in a credible way,” he added.

France “will maintain its specificity, but is ready to contribute more to the defense of Europe”.

The interview was conducted on Friday, during a visit to Strasbourg.

After the withdrawal of Great Britain from the European Union, France is the only member of the community bloc that has its own nuclear weapons.

In a speech to students at Sorbonne University in Paris on Thursday, Macron warned that Europe faces an existential threat from Russia.

He appealed to the continent to adopt a “credible” defense strategy, less dependent on the United States.

“Being credible also means having long-range missiles to deter the Russians. And there are also nuclear weapons: France’s doctrine is that we can use them when our vital interests are threatened,” he added.

“I have already said that there is a European dimension to these vital interests”.

Building a common European defense policy has long been a goal of France, but has faced opposition from other EU countries who consider the NATO umbrella more reliable.

However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the possible return of isolationist Donald Trump to the position of President of the United States have renewed calls for greater European defense autonomy.