Part 10/14:
This development highlights a broader push for European strategic autonomy. Macron has long advocated for extending France’s nuclear umbrella—potentially deploying nuclear assets abroad or sharing nuclear deterrence—to ensure Europe can defend itself if the US nuclear shield recedes. The recent pact reflects a sober acknowledgment that Europe must prepare for a future where reliance on US nuclear support is not guaranteed, especially as global tensions rise.
The move, part of a wider effort to strengthen bilateral ties and promote multilateralism, comes amid a turbulent geopolitical landscape marked by renewed Russian aggression under Putin and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Such progress also signals Europe’s desire to carve out its own security identity amid evolving threats.