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French President Emmanuel Macron called for a significant increase in the country’s defense spending, citing growing security threats from Russia, Euractiv reports.
Speaking ahead of France’s national Bastille Day celebrations, Macron warned that Europe’s freedom is under greater threat today than at any point since World War II.
“We are living in a turning point in history,” Macron said in a speech to the French armed forces. He denounced Russia’s “imperialist policies,” “annexationist ambitions,” and its reliance on the “law of the strongest,” framing Moscow as a clear threat to European peace and stability.
“Peace on our continent has never depended more on the decisions we make today,” Macron stressed.
The French president announced plans to boost the national defense budget by €3.5 billion in 2026, followed by an additional €3 billion increase in 2027. “If you want to be feared, you have to be strong,” he said, urging all government agencies to fully mobilize in support of national defense efforts.
Beyond military funding, Macron’s administration also aims to strengthen national unity in response to global crises. According to the Élysée Palace, this includes the potential rollout of a new youth mobilization campaign, offering young people “an opportunity to serve.”
France’s Chief of the General Staff, General Thierry Burkhard, has also recently warned that Russia poses a long-term and large-scale threat, identifying France as one of the Kremlin’s priority targets.
Earlier this week, Macron also addressed the British Parliament, emphasizing the unique role of Paris and London in safeguarding European security.
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