A Politician with unattainable aspirations!

Emmanuel Macron’s thirst for “uniqueness” in the European Union and the international system knows no bounds! The French president, whose tenure in the Élysée Palace until the end of 2027 (the date of France’s official presidential elections) is not even guaranteed, has recently spoken of extending France’s nuclear umbrella over the European Union. In other words, Macron has sent yet another signal to the international system about “France’s agency in NATO,” though this signal hardly aligns with the current realities of the global order.

Macron has expressed readiness to deploy nuclear bombers in Poland and extend France’s nuclear umbrella across Europe. France remains the only nuclear power in the European Union. Notably, Macron has set conditions for this move (extending France’s nuclear umbrella), imposing restrictions on other European allies.

In clearer terms, the French president has, for the first time, explicitly outlined conditions for deploying France’s nuclear warplanes in other European countries. Macron stated:

“France will not bear the cost of others’ security, will not reduce its own capabilities, and the final decision will always rest with the presidency (the sitting president in the Élysée Palace).”

These three conditions have cast doubt among many European countries about the effectiveness of France’s plan to extend its nuclear umbrella across the continent. Fundamentally, a future French president succeeding Macron in the Élysée Palace might oppose the very principle of this agreement and its underlying commitments.

Moreover, Macron may demand economic and security concessions from other European countries in exchange for this move—concessions that other actors may be unable to provide. It should not be forgotten that, in addition to France, 27 other European countries are NATO members.

European countries believe that, on the one hand, Macron lacks the capacity to ensure their security (even with the extension of France’s nuclear umbrella), and on the other hand, he may engage in troublesome quid pro quo demands from other nations.

In response to Macron’s remarks, the Kremlin stated that the potential deployment of French nuclear bombers across the European Union would not enhance security on the continent. Following the UK’s exit from the EU, France remains the sole nuclear power in the bloc. Macron has repeatedly emphasized that France’s “vital interests” always have a “European dimension” as well.

Currently, amid concerns about a potential U.S. withdrawal from Europe, several European countries have expressed interest in benefiting from France’s nuclear protective umbrella. However, the recent stance of the Élysée Palace has turned the initial optimism of these countries into “caution.”