French President Emmanuel Macron’s speech marks a key step in the continent’s security policy. In an increasingly unstable international landscape, Macron delivered a peremptory message: Europe can no longer afford to depend solely on the United States for its defence. The Old Continent must develop autonomous strategic and military capabilities, on pain of geopolitical irrelevance. An assertion that many leaders pretend not to see, while Macron once again demonstrates a far-sighted vision and courage that other countries seem to lack.

The central theme of the speech was obviously the continuing war in Ukraine. Macron denounced Russia’s use of North Korean mercenaries and Iranian weaponry, as well as systematic cyberwarfare operations and interference in elections in countries such as Moldova and Romania. He also pointed out that Moscow is already conducting hybrid actions against several European countries, including targeted assassinations, cyber attacks on essential infrastructure such as hospitals, and further election interference. The threat, he warned, does not only concern Kyiv, but the entire continent. Europe can no longer afford to remain a bystander in the face of this aggression: if the Russian objective is to destabilise the Union, the response cannot be reduced to mere support for Ukraine, but requires a structural strengthening of European security.

Reiterating the need for continued economic and military support to Kyiv, Macron ruled out any hypothesis of surrender or ceasefire that might prove precarious, recalling how the 2014 Minsk Agreements failed to prevent escalation. Looking to the future, he envisaged sending European troops to Ukrainian territory to ensure the implementation of a possible peace agreement. This prospect raises crucial questions: would it be a monitoring mission or the first step towards a more structured common defence policy? The summit to be held in Paris with the chiefs of staff of the countries willing to participate could further clarify the scope of this initiative, but it remains to be seen what the reaction will be of the other European governments, many of which have so far hesitated in the face of any direct involvement on the ground.

The French president then addressed the issue of transatlantic relations. While he expressed hope that Washington would continue to support Ukraine and Europe, he warned of the risks of an increasingly protectionist US trade policy. Macron described the possible imposition of tariffs on European products as incomprehensible to both the EU and US economies, assuring that the EU would try to convince the US to reconsider its position. What is certain, however, is that it is no longer sustainable for Europe to remain hostage to decisions taken overseas: the qualitative leap desired by Macron passes through greater strategic autonomy, not only in the military sphere but also in the economic one.

With this in mind, the French President emphasised the urgency of increasing defence investment without increasing the tax burden on taxpayers, focusing on closer cooperation between member states for the joint production of military equipment. Giving new impetus to this vision is the German government led by Friedrich Merz, which is determined to increase military spending and rebuild the Franco-German axis, which has seemed tarnished in recent years. While France and Germany seem to be finding a concrete understanding, Italy appears uncertain and incapable of decisively choosing its own path: on the one hand it pursues the idea of being the Trump administration’s European backbone, on the other it fears being completely marginalised from the EU scenario. These ambiguities undermine Rome’s credibility and risk isolating a country that, instead, needs to redefine its role in a Europe determined to strengthen itself. In the meantime, an unprecedented conjuncture is emerging that sees France, Germany and the United Kingdom surprisingly aligned: paradoxically, London was not so close to European positions even before Brexit.

Finally, Macron relaunched the debate on nuclear deterrence, recalling that France is the only country in the Union with an atomic arsenal, the management of which, however, will remain the exclusive prerogative of the Elysée Palace. He announced the opening of a strategic debate on this issue, but the fundamental question remains: to what extent can Europe build a shared security strategy if one of its main players keeps its arsenal under exclusive national control?

Macron thus outlines an ambitious vision: a more autonomous, more cohesive and more assertive Europe on the international stage. However, the realisation of this vision will depend on member states’ ability to strike a balance between national sovereignty and EU cooperation, overcoming differences that still seem deep. The strengthening of European defence, the possible deployment of EU troops in Ukraine, the management of relations with the United States and the issue of nuclear deterrence represent challenges that require shared and timely solutions.

In closing, Macron appealed for unity and responsibility, urging Europeans not to give in to fatalism or alarmism. The future of the continent, he insisted, is at stake now. If Italy chooses to remain at the window, grinding out short-term calculations, the rest of Europe – steadfastly led by the French president – could move on without her. The challenge, in any case, is already on the table.