Moscow dismissed Macron’s nuclear deterrent offer as “extremely confrontational,” saying the remarks reflected Paris’ ambitions to “become the nuclear ‘patron’ of all of Europe,” despite the fact that France’s nuclear forces are far smaller than those of the U.S.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the European Union to boost its NATO spending to “prepare for what comes next” — as concerns mount over whether the US can still be counted as an ally against Russia.

European Union leaders on Friday downplayed skepticism from U.S. President Donald Trump about solidarity among NATO members.

As EU capitals line up behind the message that Europe must guarantee its own security, French President Emmanuel Macron could be forgiven for thinking... It is a message Macron has repeatedly drummed home since coming to power in 2017: Europe must be more self-sufficient on defence and break free from dependence on the United States.

President Trump expressed uncertainty that NATO would come to the United States’ defense if the country were attacked, though the alliance did just that after Sept. 11.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that France will consider extending the protection of its nuclear arsenal to its allies and that Europe needed to be ready for the US not to be ‘by our side’ in the Russia-Ukraine war.

As geopolitical uncertainties cast doubt over the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) future, particularly in light of a second Trump presidency, France is asserting itself as the primary architect of European strategic autonomy.