Macron: French Nuclear Weapons are a Guarantee for Building Relations with Russia

French President Emmanuel Macron stated in a speech at the Sorbonne University that French nuclear weapons are a fundamental element in the European defense strategy as well as in neighborhood relations with Russia. In his address on Saturday, Macron called for the formulation of a strategic concept for "reliable European defense." According to Macron, France's nuclear capabilities lie at the heart of its defense strategy and form an "essential element" of Europe's defense. The French president explained that this enables Paris to build security guarantees that all of France's partners in Europe can rely on. He believed this would create the basis for common defense, as well as security guarantees, and would subsequently allow for the development of relations with Russia. Macron stated that in the coming months, he would invite "all partners to build a European defense initiative, to which we will then grant the relevant capabilities, air defense, and deep strikes," noting that France's goal is "to have the most effective army in Europe." He also stated that "the French doctrine allows for the use of nuclear weapons in cases where there is a threat to vital interests," and explained that there is a European dimension to these interests.