Macron Proposes New EU Nuclear Posture Plan

Macron’s new nuclear arms strategy has been perceived as a strategy to consolidate French power in the European Union. (Wikimedia)

In a speech to graduating military officers in Paris on January 31, French President Emmanuel Macron revealed a new nuclear arms strategy that advocates for increased European vigilance concerning the nuclear arms race. According to Macron, European states “cannot remain spectators” against nuclear threats.

With the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, France is the EU’s only nuclear power. The timing of Macron’s speech has led many media outlets to speculate whether or not Macron’s new nuclear plan is a bid to consolidate France’s leadership in the European Union.

Macron warned that the increasing tensions typical of a nuclear arms race could threaten the safety of the EU states, saying that arms races “could jeopardize the peace obtained after so many tragedies on our continent.”

Reinforcing the need for a coordinated European nuclear defense strategy, Macron noted, “Let us be clear: if negotiations and a more comprehensive treaty are possible...Europeans must be stakeholders and signatories.”

Macron’s proposed defense strategy does not condone the development of defensive nuclear arms within EU states. Rather, he proposes disarmament. This was evidenced by Macron’s statements on France’s own nuclear disarmament. 

Macron also stressed the need for resuming dialogue with Russia in order to guarantee European safety: “There can be no defense and security project for European citizens without a political vision that seeks to progressively restore trust with Russia.” He added, “We cannot accept the current situation, where the chasm deepens and talks diminish even as the security issues that need to be addressed with Moscow are multiplying.”

With mounting concerns regarding American infidelity towards NATO and the ripping up of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty between the U.S. and Russia last year, Macron’s proposed nuclear doctrine seems to be a move towards increased European military and political solidarity in the face of nuclear uncertainty around the world.