Austrazil
French President Emmanuel Macron, in an interview with Radio Europe 1, called for greater independence in the defense of Europe, saying: “We must protect ourselves against China, Russia, and even the United States.” Macron proposed to create a “real European army”, which is needed not only to protect the continent from its neighbors, but also to hinder the implementation of US policy in Europe.
“We will not be able to defend Europeans if we do not decide to have a real European army,” said Macron, “We must have a Europe that can independently defend itself, not relying on the United States only.”
Commenting on his ambitious proposal, which in the long run would make NATO an obsolete alliance, the French president recalled the recent decision of his American counterpart Donald Trump, who announced the US withdrawal from the landmark landmark nuclear weapons treaty. Macron noted that the main victim of this decision will be Europe and its security.
At the same time, the French president did not ignore Russia, noting that the country could be potentially harmful. Macron added that “peace in Europe is unstable.”
Not only France was displeased with Washington’s withdrawal from the Nuclear Weapons Treaty. But it was Emmanuel Macron who first accused the White House of putting European security at risk in this way.
Macron's statements are heard amid growing attacks from Washington against countries that allegedly pay too little into the NATO budget. During the past year, Trump insisted that alliance countries increase defense spending (that is, contributions to NATO). In 2017, the share of the United States in total defense spending was 71.7%, exceeding the contributions of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Canada combined. At the same time, Trump is persistently trying to ensure that “security” contributions reach 2% of the EU’s GDP. And Macron, speaking of the creation of a “pan-European army,” demonstrates the readiness of European countries to spend money on security in Europe, without participation in this process of Washington.
source: bbc.com
“We will not be able to defend Europeans if we do not decide to have a real European army,” said Macron, “We must have a Europe that can independently defend itself, not relying on the United States only.”
Commenting on his ambitious proposal, which in the long run would make NATO an obsolete alliance, the French president recalled the recent decision of his American counterpart Donald Trump, who announced the US withdrawal from the landmark landmark nuclear weapons treaty. Macron noted that the main victim of this decision will be Europe and its security.
At the same time, the French president did not ignore Russia, noting that the country could be potentially harmful. Macron added that “peace in Europe is unstable.”
Not only France was displeased with Washington’s withdrawal from the Nuclear Weapons Treaty. But it was Emmanuel Macron who first accused the White House of putting European security at risk in this way.
Macron's statements are heard amid growing attacks from Washington against countries that allegedly pay too little into the NATO budget. During the past year, Trump insisted that alliance countries increase defense spending (that is, contributions to NATO). In 2017, the share of the United States in total defense spending was 71.7%, exceeding the contributions of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Canada combined. At the same time, Trump is persistently trying to ensure that “security” contributions reach 2% of the EU’s GDP. And Macron, speaking of the creation of a “pan-European army,” demonstrates the readiness of European countries to spend money on security in Europe, without participation in this process of Washington.
source: bbc.com
