According to President Emmanuel Macron, if there was a nuclear assault on Ukraine, France’s interests “wouldn’t be immediately harmed.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that if Russia used nuclear weapons against Ukraine, Paris would not retaliate with nuclear weapons. His remarks received quick criticism from many who felt he had revealed too much information.
On Wednesday, Macron said that his nation had a clearly defined nuclear doctrine that was founded on the “basic interests of the nation” in an interview with public broadcaster France 2.
These are clearly defined and wouldn’t be impacted in any way, he claimed, if a ballistic nuclear assault were to occur in Ukraine. Also on Wednesday, Macron tweeted that France “does not desire a world war.”
Former French President François Hollande criticized Macron’s openness, stating that nuclear dissuasion “relies on not saying anything” about what the nation may do in particular circumstances.
That attitude was shared by conservative MP Jean-Louis Thiériot, who told Politico that listening to Macron speak caused him to almost “fall out of his chair” and that there should always be “uncertainty as to what is considered a crucial [French] interest.”
Josep Borrell, the head of the EU’s foreign policy, stated on Thursday that any nuclear assault against Ukraine would result in a strong Western response that would “annihilate” the Russian army. He also acknowledged that it wouldn’t be a “nuclear response,” though.
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, pledged in September to employ “all available means” to defend its territorial integrity, which the West saw as a direct nuclear threat.
Since then, the US has stated it does not believe Moscow is getting ready to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. President Joe Biden responded last week that it would be “irresponsible” for him to say what the US would or would not do in the event that Russia utilized nuclear weapons.
Following a wave of strikes on various cities this week, Macron added in the interview on Wednesday that France would provide additional radars and missiles to help defend Ukraine from Russian missile attacks. Howitzers, mobile air defense systems, and heavy armored vehicles have already been sent to Kiev by Paris.
The French president acknowledged that his nation had not given the Ukrainians “as much as they requested for,” but added that he was “obligated to keep some for us to protect ourselves” and NATO’s eastern flank.
Additionally, Macron urged Putin to “end the war” and re-engage in negotiations with Ukraine. Kiev has indicated it will not engage in negotiations with Moscow, but Macron predicted that it will “at some point” become “essential.”
