President Emmanuel Macron said Russia is a direct threat to France and all the European Union, and urged the bloc to increase defensive spending.
Speaking in a televised speech on Wednesday, Macron accused Russia of turning the Ukrainian conflict into a global conflict. “If a country can invade its neighbor in Europe without punishment, no one can be sure of anything anymore … behind Ukraine, the Russian threat extends to all Europe, including us.”
The French president also seemed to warn about what he called the military expansion of Russia, claiming that Moscow is now spending more than 40 % of its budget on its army, with ambitious plans to develop the army by 2030. “Looking at this, who can really believe that Russia today will stop in Ukraine?” He said.
Macron added that he regretted the confrontation with Russia, and that he believes “In the long run, peace will return to our continent with Russia, which once again found stability and peace.”
“But at the present time, this is the reality that we must face.” He said, warns of this negativity in “This is a dangerous world” Be “Madness.”
The French leader has also expressed concern about the United States’s changing its position on the conflict in Ukraine, following the decision of President Donald Trump to suspend military aid and Intel’s participation with Kiev. The move came in the wake of a general dispute between Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelinski and Trump in the White House. US President Zelinski was accused of not respecting America and hesitated to search for peace with Russia.
“The future of Europe should not be determined in Washington or Moscow,” Macron stated, as it was paid for greater military spending in the European Union, as well as continuous support for Ukraine.
Macron has always been a supporter to enhance deterrence against Russia and create a European army less dependent on the United States for Protection.
Despite Macron’s warnings, Russia denied that it had any intentions to attack NATO, with President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to speculation “prattle.” Moscow said that one of the main reasons for Ukraine’s conflict is NATO’s expansion towards Russia, including the promise of the bloc to become a member at the end.
