'Europe enters new era': Macron calls for increased military efforts
Photo: French President Emmanuel Macron (Getty Images)
French President Emmanuel Macron believes that Europe is entering a new era and has called for an increase in military efforts in response to the Russia-Ukraine war, BFMTV reports.
During a live broadcast on YouTube, Macron stated that Europeans must increase their military efforts in response to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
"We, Europeans, must increase our military efforts," said the President of France.
Macron also emphasized that "Europe enters a new era". According to the President of France, there is a risk as the US is likely to seek an agreement with the Russians regarding the war in Ukraine.
Macron was asked about European cooperation on defense matters, to which he replied that it would be very difficult to create a unified army, but he wants to "strengthen the European pillar of security and defense" and Europe's joint potential.
The French President added that he would like to establish large-scale joint European funding in the coming weeks to purchase and produce more in the defense sector. However, Macron warned that if purchases are made from the US, "we will not increase our autonomy."
US-Europe standoff
Last week, during the Munich Security Conference, US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg stated that he did not see Europe at the negotiating table regarding the war in Ukraine, which sparked outrage among EU countries.
After the Munich conference, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an "emergency summit." Macron will also travel to the US next week. The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit Washington, as well.
Before the Munich Security Conference, US President Donald Trump had criticized Europe for insufficient defense sector funding.
