**The French leader ties heightened military spending to global tensions, particularly regarding Russia, urging for stronger defense amid what he describes as unprecedented geopolitical threats.**
**Macron Warns of Europe's Greatest Threat Since WWII Amid Rising Defense Budgets**
**Macron Warns of Europe's Greatest Threat Since WWII Amid Rising Defense Budgets**
**In a significant speech, French President Emmanuel Macron highlights increased defense expenditures as crucial for Europe's security.**
In a pivotal address to the armed forces in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed grave concerns about Europe's security landscape, characterizing it as facing its most substantial threat since World War II. He emphasized the urgency of bolstering defense capabilities against complex geopolitical challenges, primarily pointing to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Macron proposed that France’s defense budget should see an increase of €3.5bn (£3bn) for the upcoming year, with an additional €3bn earmarked for 2027, aiming to double the military budget from €32bn in 2017 to €64bn within two years—a revision of the previous timeline to achieve this goal. This proposed budget boost seeks to counter what Macron terms "imperialist policies" and the actions of "annexing powers" like Russia.
In the speech, which coincided with the eve of Bastille Day, Macron stated, "To be free in this world, you must be feared. To be feared, you must be powerful." He highlighted various global conflicts, including U.S. military actions in Iran and tensions between India and Pakistan, suggesting that the world is witnessing heightened instability and a resurgence of nuclear power.
The call for increased funding aligns with recent NATO commitments, where member states agreed to elevate defense spending targets from 2% to a robust 5% of GDP. Simultaneously, UK officials are preparing their defense strategy to signal a unified response to Russian aggression.
Thierry Burkhard, the head of the French army, reinforced Macron’s remarks, asserting that Russia perceives France as its "main adversary in Europe," advocating for preparedness as the geopolitical contests play out in Ukraine. As the French government prepares to unveil its national budget, Macron’s bold defense funding proposals signal a critical shift in France's military posture amidst rising global tensions.
Macron proposed that France’s defense budget should see an increase of €3.5bn (£3bn) for the upcoming year, with an additional €3bn earmarked for 2027, aiming to double the military budget from €32bn in 2017 to €64bn within two years—a revision of the previous timeline to achieve this goal. This proposed budget boost seeks to counter what Macron terms "imperialist policies" and the actions of "annexing powers" like Russia.
In the speech, which coincided with the eve of Bastille Day, Macron stated, "To be free in this world, you must be feared. To be feared, you must be powerful." He highlighted various global conflicts, including U.S. military actions in Iran and tensions between India and Pakistan, suggesting that the world is witnessing heightened instability and a resurgence of nuclear power.
The call for increased funding aligns with recent NATO commitments, where member states agreed to elevate defense spending targets from 2% to a robust 5% of GDP. Simultaneously, UK officials are preparing their defense strategy to signal a unified response to Russian aggression.
Thierry Burkhard, the head of the French army, reinforced Macron’s remarks, asserting that Russia perceives France as its "main adversary in Europe," advocating for preparedness as the geopolitical contests play out in Ukraine. As the French government prepares to unveil its national budget, Macron’s bold defense funding proposals signal a critical shift in France's military posture amidst rising global tensions.
