French President Emmanuel Macron renewed his calls for Europe to take more responsibility for its own defence. He said it had "for too long avoided bearing the burden of its own security".
Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Macron stated that he was "delighted" that other countries were joining his long-standing call for collective investment in defence. Rutte is visiting Paris following Donald Trump's re-election as US president, AFP reported.
"This is the agenda of European strategic autonomy that will allow us to have more money, to build capacity and autonomy for Europeans, and the ability to cooperate with our non-European allies as part of the alliance," the French president said.
Trump questioned Washington's commitment to protecting NATO allies. The U.S. president-elect has talked about reducing support for Ukraine or reaching an agreement with Russia to end its years-long invasion.
His return to the White House is a new incentive for Europeans - long accustomed to conventional and nuclear defence from the United States - to rethink their own defence.
"Nothing should be decided for Ukraine without the Ukrainians, nor for Europe without the Europeans", Macron pointed out. He added that "building a long-term military capacity would be a long-term effort".
He joined Rutte in calling the appearance of North Korean troops alongside Russian soldiers a "serious escalation" of the conflict in Ukraine. This extends the threat to the Pacific, which is becoming an increasing priority for Americans.
"Russia, working with North Korea, Iran and China, not only threatens Europe, it threatens peace and security, yes, here in Europe, but also in the Indo-Pacific and North America. We must stand together - Europe, North America and our global partners... We must keep our transatlantic alliance strong," Rutte said.
He highlighted the support Russia has received from Iran, North Korea and China.
"We need to do more than just keep Ukraine in the fight. We need to raise the price for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and his authoritarian friends by giving Ukraine the support it needs to change the trajectory of the conflict," he concluded. | BGNES
