A crowd gathers outside the United State embassy in London for a demonstration in support of Ukraine, days after US President Donald Trump suspended military aid to the war-torn country.
President Emmanuel Macron had revealed that he would discuss extending France’s nuclear deterrent to European partners, as he raised the possibility of sending European troops to Ukraine to enforce a peace deal, with Europe scrambles to respond to Donald Trump’s upending of the transatlantic alliance.
In an address to the nation, Macron said citizens are legitimately worried about the start of a new era after Trump began his second term in the White House by reversing US policy on Ukraine, which analysts have predicted to be risking rupture with Europe.
President Macron added that Russia has become a threat to France and Europe, just as he stated that it would be madness to remain a spectator in this world of danger.
He therefore drew optimism that United States will stay by his country France, stressing that the future of Europe does not have to be decided in U.S or Russia.
Meanwhile, Macron stressed that he would open a debate on extending France’s nuclear deterrent to other European nations, following a historic call from likely next German chancellor Friedrich Merz on extending that umbrella of protection.
Ahead of the Thursday European Union summit on rearming the continent, Macron stressed the need for new budget choices and extra investments to boost defence spending in France. Earlier President Trump made clear his desire to swiftly end the war caused by Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine through direct negotiations with Moscow.
