France must increase defence spending in the face of a growing threat from Russia - but this will not be funded by tax increases.
This was the main takeaway from French President Emmanuel Macron’s televised address to the nation on Wednesday evening.
The president announced his wish for France to be a key player in defence of the continent as he spoke about the geopolitical situation of Europe in light of the new US Trump administration and Europe’s aims for peace in Ukraine.
Below, we cover the key points of the 15-minute long speech.
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Russia ‘a threat to France’
“Our prosperity and security have become uncertain,” said the president.
“The Russian threat is there and is affecting the countries of Europe… this aggression seems to know no borders, and in the face of this world of danger, to remain a spectator would be madness.”
The president highlighted alleged Russian interference in recent elections in Romania and Moldova, as well as digital attacks on hospitals and the use of social media to influence opinion.
It was the first time the president – who has previously tried to deescalate relations with Russia on numerous occasions before the current conflict – has publicly claimed cybersecurity attacks against France originated in Russia.
“Russia has become a threat to France and Europe {and Russian leader Vladimir Putin] already turned the Ukrainian conflict into a global conflict.”
More aid for Ukraine… and possibly peacekeepers
Turning to the war in Ukraine, the president said France and Europe “must continue to help the Ukrainians to resist until they can negotiate with Russia a solid peace for them, and for all of us.”
He highlighted recent and upcoming cross-European talks – which involve the UK – on Ukraine security, defence, aid, and a post-peace vision.
These peace talks “may also require the deployment of European forces” after a deal has been signed, said Mr Macron.
“These forces would not go and fight today, they would not go and fight on the front line, but they would be there… once peace has been signed, to guarantee that it is fully respected.”
He will ask other European countries if they back sending peacekeepers to upcoming talks.
Read more: US media praises 'charmer' Macron over his meeting with Trump
Souring US relations
The president is taking an increasingly Gaullist viewpoint following recent events across the Atlantic, and wants to “strengthen Europe's independence” from the US.
Former president Charles de Gaulle was notorious for attempting to limit American – and British – influence on the continent after the World War Two and ‘Gaullism’ in France is sometimes seen as having a pro-France/Europe, and anti-Anglophone connotation.
Read more: De Gaulle’s myth of Paris freeing itself leaves a complex legacy
“I want to believe that the United States will remain on our side… but we need to be ready if that is not the case,” said Mr Macron.
“We [France] remain attached to NATO, but we need… to strengthen our independence in terms of security and defence,” he said.
“The future of Europe should not be decided in Washington or Moscow.”
Mr Macron also called incoming US tariffs against Mexico, China, and Canada “incomprehensible.”
US president Donald Trump has threatened tariffs against the EU, which “will have consequences for some of our industries,” he said.
These tariffs “will not go unanswered by us,” he added, hinting at a trade war.
Read more: Four US consulates in France identified as facing possible closure under Trump
Increased defence spending… but no tax rise
“Given the evolution of threats,” an increase in defence spending is required – but this will not lead to additional taxes on people in France, the president said.
“These will be new investments that require the mobilisation of private as well as public funding.
“To achieve this, we will need reforms, choices and courage,” said the president, adding that he had “asked the government to work on this as quickly as possible.”
It is unclear as yet what these reforms will entail.
The president wants the spending increase to be cross-European.
“Member states will be able to increase their military spending without this being taken into account in their deficit,” under plans Mr Macron will bring forward at EU meetings in the coming days.
“Massive joint funding will be decided for purchases and production on European soil,” he added.
The EU usually imposes strict restrictions on budgetary control – although France is currently far outside of these targets in terms of both overall debt and debt to GDP ratio – but the president wants these to be omitted for defence spending increases.
France is centre-stage of European defence – and nuclear capacity
“France has always recognised that its vital interests have a European dimension,” the president said last week on a visit to Portugal.
He reinforced these views during his speech, where he centred France in EU defence discussions.
This includes the use of nuclear weapons. The choice to use these weapons “has always been and will remain in the hands of the President of the Republic,” said the president.
However, he said he wants to “open the strategic debate,” about France’s nuclear capacity.
France is now the only country in the EU with nuclear weapons (former member state the UK also had nuclear weapons).
The president is taking serious claims by German Chancellor-to-be Friedrich Merz about an increased EU defence pact in the face of US withdrawal from the continent, which would likely see Germany and France as the two largest contributors as the largest Member States.
