CESON-SEVIGNE, France (AP) – French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday urged Europe to “wake up” and do more on defense to reduce its dependence on the United States for security in an address to the French military. He called for spending. Donald Trump returns to power.
In his New Year’s address to troops at the Army Digital and Cyber Support Command, where he is based, President Macron referred to expected changes in US foreign policy, particularly regarding the Ukraine war, which he described as a “European “This is an opportunity to sound a strategic alarm.” in western France.
“What would we do in Europe tomorrow if our ally the United States withdrew its warships from the Mediterranean? What if they sent fighter jets from the Atlantic to the Pacific?” he asked.
Trump criticized the cost of war Ukraine has made it clear that it wants to shift more of the financial burden to Europe, providing aid for U.S. taxpayers through a massive military aid package. He vowed to end the conflict quickly and expressed hope that peace negotiations could be reached within six months.
Mr Macron said France and Europe needed to adapt to evolving threats and changing interests. “Who would have imagined that a year ago? Greenland will be the focus Do you mean political and strategic discussions? That’s it. ”
He said that providing sustained support to Ukraine will be key for Kyiv to be in a strong position going into future peace negotiations.
He said Ukraine must receive “guarantees” against a return to war on its territory if hostilities cease and Europe “must play a full role” in the process. .
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he had discussed a possible meeting with Macron. Western forces deployed to Ukraine to end the peace agreement almost three years of war Together with Russia.
“As one of these guarantees, we discussed France’s initiative to send troops to Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
The possibility of sending European troops to Ukraine as peacekeepers is fraught with risks. Such a move might not prevent Russia from attacking Ukraine again in the future, which Ukrainian officials fear, and could draw European countries into direct confrontation with Russia. If that happens, NATO, including the United States, could become involved in a conflict.
