Macron: Fragmented EU Defense Would Be a 'Huge Mistake'

French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a pointed message at the Munich Security Conference, placing Europe’s joint defense industrial projects at the forefront of his vision for a stronger and more autonomous continent.

“We Will Waste Our Money” Without Joint Projects

Macron made an emphatic case for deeper European defense integration, arguing that collaborative military programs are essential for Europe’s strategic credibility.

He said it “makes sense” to develop the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) alongside Germany and Spain, describing it as a cornerstone of next-generation European air power. He also highlighted joint air defense initiatives with Italy and the United Kingdom, as well as early warning system cooperation with Germany.

Macron cautioned that if defense funding is diverted into purely national solutions or used to favor domestic players without a broader European framework, the bloc risks squandering both financial resources and strategic momentum. Such an approach, he warned, would be a “huge mistake.”

Describing himself as “old-fashioned,” Macron nonetheless insisted he firmly believes in FCAS, joint programs, and new-generation integrated systems. He questioned how Europe could hope to build advanced command structures if it dismantles the limited cooperative frameworks already in place.

Europe Must Become a Geopolitical Power

Beyond industrial cooperation, Macron broadened his appeal, arguing that Europe must accelerate its transformation into a geopolitical power in its own right.

“Europe has to become a geopolitical power,” he said, stressing that this ambition concerns the continent collectively not individual national powers such as France or Germany.

He rejected claims that Europe is in decline and framed the current geopolitical climate as a moment demanding boldness and strategic clarity.

Reworking Europe’s Security Architecture

Macron argued that Europe’s current security framework remains rooted in Cold War structures that no longer reflect contemporary threats. He called for a comprehensive reorganization of Europe’s defense architecture, built around European interests and leadership.

He revealed that consultations are underway with several European leaders, including Germany’s chancellor, to reassess how France’s nuclear deterrent could fit within a broader European security model. A more detailed outline of this vision is expected in the coming weeks.

France’s nuclear doctrine, he emphasized, remains nationally controlled under constitutional guarantees, but strategic dialogue has begun on how deterrence could be “rearticulated” within a collective European context.

Living With an Aggressive Russia

Macron warned that even a negotiated settlement to the Ukraine war would not eliminate the Russian threat. Europe, he said, must prepare for a long-term reality in which it coexists geographically with an assertive and militarized Russia.

He stressed that Europeans themselves must negotiate the future security architecture of the continent rather than allowing outside powers to dictate terms.

The French president also called for stronger action against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” arguing that tightening enforcement has already proven painful for Moscow’s war economy.

Regulating Social Media and Countering Interference

In addition to defense policy, Macron addressed democratic resilience. He argued that foreign interference amplified through social media platforms poses a serious threat to Western democracies.

He called for stricter regulation, including the blocking of automated bot networks, algorithm transparency, and legal accountability for platforms that fail to respect European rules. Macron also supported restricting social media access for children under 15, describing it as both a health and democratic protection measure.