Also Mentioned 'Ukraine Deployment Theory' Macron: "Nothing Is Off the Table"

"We exclude nothing." French President Emmanuel Macron publicly reiterated the 'Ukraine deployment theory.' He also repeatedly emphasized European self-reliance.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

In an interview with the British magazine The Economist published on the 2nd (local time), President Macron said about the deployment theory, "We are facing people who exclude nothing, so I also exclude nothing," adding, "Our capability is to maintain trust, provide means to resist Ukraine, and continue to assist."

He stated, "If Russia breaks through the front line and Ukraine requests it, we must naturally ask ourselves this question," emphasizing, "It is wrong to exclude this in terms of deterrence against Russia." He further evaluated, "Russia's aggressive reaction to my remarks (about deployment) is proof that it is having the desired effect."

Earlier, when President Macron publicized the possibility of Western troops being deployed to Ukraine in February, Russia immediately reacted strongly. Western major countries including the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom also simultaneously stated that they had no plans for deployment, causing a stir.

In this interview, President Macron also expressed the European self-reliance theory he mentioned in his recent Sorbonne University speech. He pointed out, "Europe has a solid, comprehensive, and effective military model like the French army, but it is not the safest place in the world," adding, "Currently, in Europe, a nuclear-armed great power is waging war with aggressive rhetoric."

He noted that, looking at Europe as a whole, defense and security investments are much lower than those of the United States or China, emphasizing, "We must prepare to protect ourselves in anticipation of no longer receiving the same protection from the United States." He also argued that not only EU member states but also non-member countries on the European continent should come together at one table to create a framework for joint defense.

President Macron once again mentioned that France, the only nuclear-armed country within the EU, can play the role of Europe's 'nuclear umbrella' in terms of this joint defense. He said, "Deterrence is the core of sovereignty," and added, "To build an effective and reliable strategic concept of joint defense, nuclear weapons must be included in the discussion within known usage limits." He also stated, "Europe, the United States, and China must resume the fight against nuclear proliferation," adding, "A world where more and more countries possess nuclear weapons and military nuclear capabilities is a world of risk and disorder."

Regarding the agenda for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who will make a state visit to France on the 6th and 7th, he explained, "One of my main goals in welcoming President Xi is to involve China in major international issues and discuss economic relations based on reciprocity."

President Macron said, "It is in our interest to allow China to have a voice in the stability of the international order," adding, "I hope China supports the Olympic truce and is committed to preventing nuclear proliferation." He also pointed out issues such as the trade imbalance with China and government subsidies.

Regarding nationalist far-right forces within Europe, he criticized, "All European nationalists are hidden Brexit supporters who think their countries will be stronger outside the EU, but Brexit made the UK poorer," adding, "If we entrust the keys to such people, there is no reason for Europe to become a great power."

Meanwhile, President Macron will make a state visit to Germany for three days starting on the 26th. According to the German presidential office, the French president's state visit to Germany is the first in 24 years since then-President Jacques Chirac in 2000. During this visit, President Macron will attend the 75th anniversary of the German Basic Law (constitution) and the 35th anniversary of the East German Peaceful Revolution, and will receive the Westphalia Peace Prize awarded to individuals dedicated to European integration.

Germany and France, the two pillars of the EU, have recently been engaged in a tense exchange over President Macron's remarks on the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine and the issue of involving U.S. and Israeli defense contractors in the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) led by Germany.