Macron, ready to defend Europe "even if it means shedding blood"
The French president has invited about thirty leaders to the July 14th parade to give it a European dimension
ParisA few months before leaving the Elysée, Emmanuel Macron wants to set the idea he has been pursuing for years on track: Europe must militarily emancipate itself from the United States and work together for its security and defense. Donald Trump's arrival at the White House gave impetus to the idea, and the war in Ukraine has contributed to European countries working together to defend themselves, albeit with still unencouraging results.
Despite the shortcomings and difficulties in boosting a true European military industry, Macron on Monday welcomed "the European strategic awakening" hours before chairing a summit of the Coalition of Volunteers for Ukraine with the participation of some thirty countries. "In a few years, we will have created new capabilities in Europe and we will have spurred a strategic awakening," stated the French head of state.
Macron gave a speech to the French armed forces the day before the July 14th parade, France's national holiday, which this year will have a clear European dimension. Soldiers from other states – including Spain – will participate, and 24 heads of state and government will be present. On his last July 14th as president, he wants to symbolize the creation of a European military force, a project still far from reality despite French impetus. "Europe is becoming a power," insisted the President of the Republic.
It is, in a way, his European legacy. And he has taken the opportunity to send strong messages, to remind that Europe is ready to defend itself as it is doing by supporting Ukraine. "The message we are sending to the world is this: yes, peace is our goal; yes, we value freedom and the rule of law. And yes, we are ready to fight to defend them always, even if it means shedding blood," he asserted.
The President of the French Republic also warned against "nationalisms," alluding to the rise of the far-right in Europe and France. "Patriotism, yes. Nationalism, never," he warned. Just over nine months before the French presidential elections, the leader of the National Rally, Marine Le Pen, tops the polls.
Security guarantees
The leaders of the Coalition of Volunteers, meeting at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, have reiterated the usual messages to support Ukraine and called for a resumption of peace negotiations. "We are accelerating our support for Ukraine. We are strengthening its defense, increasing pressure on Russia, and building tomorrow's security guarantees," Macron emphasized. The coalition of volunteers includes countries willing to be part of the security guarantees that will be deployed when there is a ceasefire in Ukraine, including an international military force.
According to the Élysée Palace, the multinational force for Ukraine is now fully constituted and will soon begin military exercises outside Ukrainian territory. However, there are no details about its composition or the location of the first exercises.
Russia views the international coalition and the deployment of soldiers as a threat. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, "this is a coalition of the enlightened and warmongers [...] who are deceiving themselves about the possibility of inflicting a strategic defeat on our country".
On the other hand, nine countries and Ukraine – including Spain, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy – announced on Monday the creation of a coalition to develop an air defense system to protect Europe. It is the first step towards a European defense system capable of neutralizing missiles. "Faced with the ballistic threat, we are making a clear decision: to protect Ukraine, strengthen our collective security, and build the Europe of defense," Macron emphasized.
