MUNICH: Europe must embrace long-term strategic thinking and develop independent military capabilities, including deep-strike power and a redefined nuclear security framework, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday, calling for the continent to evolve into a full geopolitical power.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in France, Macron rejected narratives of European decline and defended the bloc’s push to counter disinformation and regulate the excesses of social media, warning that democratic institutions across the West face growing hybrid threats.
“This is the right time for audacity. This is the right time for a strong Europe,” Macron declared. “Europe has to learn to become a geopolitical power. It was not part of our DNA.”
With his presidency entering its final year, Macron warned that Europe must prepare for a prolonged period of strategic rivalry with Russia, even if a future agreement ends the war in Ukraine. He cautioned against any short-term settlement that fails to address core security issues or weakens Europe’s long-term deterrence posture.
Macron outlined plans for extensive consultations with European partners on reshaping the continent’s security architecture, including discussions with British and German leadership and broader talks across the European Union. He said the goal is to develop a unified strategic outlook based on European interests rather than reliance on external security guarantees.
“The Europeans must start this work with their own thinking and their own interests,” he said, proposing a structured dialogue to align capabilities and strategic planning across the bloc.
A key pillar of Macron’s vision involves redefining Europe’s nuclear deterrence framework. He confirmed that consultations have begun on how France’s nuclear arsenal could contribute to Europe’s collective security while remaining under national constitutional control. Macron is expected to deliver a major speech later this month detailing France’s proposed role in Europe’s future nuclear doctrine.
Arguing that Europe’s current security framework remains rooted in Cold War assumptions, Macron said the continent must “reshuffle and reorganise” its defense architecture to meet new geopolitical realities, including technological warfare, hybrid threats, and shifting global alliances.
His remarks signal a renewed push for European strategic autonomy at a time of uncertainty over transatlantic security commitments and rising global instability. Macron’s proposal aims to position Europe not merely as an economic bloc but as a unified strategic actor capable of shaping global power dynamics in the decades ahead.
– John Oatis
