Macron Proposes French Nuclear Shield for Europe Amid Russian Threats

In a televised address to the French nation on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to consult European allies on extending France’s nuclear deterrent to safeguard the continent, a bold move prompted by escalating threats from Russia and shifting U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump. Delivered at 8:00 PM Paris time from the Élysée Palace, the speech underscored a pivotal moment for European security as Macron seeks to rally allies against an increasingly precarious global backdrop.

Macron framed Russia as a “threat to France and Europe,” pointing to its ongoing war in Ukraine—now nearing its third year—and recent actions like nuclear drills and alliances with North Korea and Iran. “Russia has already made the Ukrainian conflict a global conflict,” he reportedly said, per Reuters, highlighting Moscow’s mobilization of foreign resources on European soil. With France as the European Union’s sole nuclear power, boasting around 290 warheads, Macron proposed opening “the strategic debate on the protection of our allies on the European continent by our deterrent.” He was unequivocal, however, that control over any nuclear deployment would remain exclusively in the hands of the French president, dispelling notions of shared command.

The address comes as Europe grapples with uncertainty over U.S. support following Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025. Trump’s February imposition of tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, coupled with threats of levies on EU goods—reiterated as “pretty soon” on March 5—has strained transatlantic ties. His administration’s pause on Ukraine aid and push for a swift ceasefire with Russia have further rattled European leaders. “I want to believe the U.S. will stay by our side,” Macron said, according to The Guardian, “but we have to be ready if that isn’t the case.” This marks a shift from his February 24 meeting with Trump in Washington, where differences over Ukraine surfaced despite a cordial tone.

Beyond nuclear deterrence, Macron signaled broader defense initiatives. He confirmed a meeting of European army chiefs in Paris next week—likely mid-March—to coordinate security efforts, a step beyond earlier rhetoric. Reports suggest he also urged higher defense budgets without tax hikes, possibly through innovative financing, though details remain sparse. His mention of European troops potentially enforcing a Ukraine peace deal, not fighting on the frontlines, hints at a proactive role Paris envisions in any resolution.

On the economic front, Macron expressed hope of persuading Trump against EU tariffs, a plea tied to an EU summit in Brussels today, March 6, where trade and defense top the agenda. With Trump unmoved so far, and Europe needing an estimated €500 billion over a decade for defense, per EU leaders’ discussions, Macron’s dual focus reflects a continent at a crossroads.

The proposal has sparked debate. Germany’s chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz, fresh off his February 23 victory, has shown interest in nuclear cooperation, but his coalition talks—ongoing as of March 6—face resistance from fiscal hawks like the Free Democrats. Public sentiment in France and beyond remains divided, with some praising Macron’s leadership while others decry it as warmongering or a sovereignty grab.

As Macron welcomes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for a working dinner tonight and prepares for next week’s military summit, his address signals a Europe bracing for self-reliance. Whether his nuclear gambit unites or divides the continent, it underscores a new era of uncertainty—one where France aims to lead amid Russian aggression and a wavering Atlantic alliance.