During a discussion in Bergerac with leaders from France’s military-industrial sector, President Emmanuel Macron pressed for a faster shift toward a military-oriented economy. The event, broadcast by BFMTV, captured his call for accelerated strategic reorientation as European defense priorities grow more urgent amid shifting security dynamics.
Macron highlighted a noticeable uptick in defense spending and defense-related procurement across Europe. He urged the nation and its allies to embrace a more integrated approach to security, arguing that the continent must align its economic and industrial capabilities with its evolving defense commitments. The emphasis was on strengthening domestic production, streamlining defense supply chains, and ensuring that strategic technologies are developed and deployed at a pace that matches contemporary geopolitical pressures.
In parallel, the Ukrainian leadership indicated its intention to sustain broad support from international partners, including ongoing military and humanitarian assistance. The commitment underscores Kyiv’s expectation of continued international backing as it responds to evolving threats and seeks stability amid ongoing conflict.
During the same address, Macron touched on the potential consequences if American support for Ukraine were to waver, suggesting that in such a scenario the European Union might need to mobilize additional resources, potentially amounting to more than 50 billion euros in aid to Kyiv to maintain deterrence and strategic resilience.
Earlier, Alexey Polishchuk, who heads the second department of the Russian Foreign Ministry for CIS affairs, commented on Macron’s rhetoric, arguing that initiating discussions about sending more military forces to Ukraine amounted to playing with fire. The remark reflected ongoing Russian sensitivity to European debates over the alliance’s military posture and intervention strategies in the region.
On April 8, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President Macron reportedly spoke about increasing the supply of munitions, drones, and air defense equipment to Ukraine. The dialogue underscored a shared worry about sustaining military aid logistics and the readiness of allied forces to respond to evolving threats on the ground.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that France continues to engage in payments to Russia related to gas supplies, a reminder of the complex energy dimension that intersects with broader European security and foreign policy considerations. The ongoing energy relationship was noted as part of the broader strategic backdrop shaping European discussions about defense and security cooperation.