Emmanuel Macron warns France could use its nukes to defend Europe from Russia
In a bold televised address, French President Emmanuel Macron declared he is ready to deploy its nukes to protect Europe from Russia.
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Emmanuel Macron has declared that France could use its nuclear arsenal to protect Europe from Russian aggression, stressing that the continent must take responsibility for its own future.
The French president emphasised that Europe’s future shouldn’t be determined in Moscow or Washington, urging the bloc to step up in the face of a rapidly changing global landscape.
In his bold speech — which was televised on French TV — Mr Macron warned of a “new era” in international politics, where Europe cannot rely solely on external powers for security.
As the only EU nation with nuclear capabilities, France is ready to extend its deterrent power to shield Europe under a defensive umbrella.
However, Mr Macron made it clear that the decision to activate France’s nuclear force would remain firmly in the hands of the French president.
Since taking office, US President Donald Trump has shifted significantly toward supporting Russia, pulled US military aid from Ukraine, and ceased sharing intelligence with the war-torn country.
In response, European nations have been working to reduce their dependence on the US, with UK leader Keir Starmer announcing a significant increase in defence spending.
Mr Macron acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding US promises, urging Europe to prepare for the possibility that such assurances might fade.
In light of Russia’s ongoing threat, he insisted that Europe must act decisively to defend itself, calling for increased arms and military equipment to deter any future attacks.
KYIV OFFICIALS TO MEET AFTER US STOPPED SHARING INTEL
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is still in damage control after tensions with America continued.
Mr Zelensky said officials from both nations would meet soon to attempt to iron out the issues surrounding America’s support for Ukraine and role in negotiating the end of the war with Russia.
“Today, the Ukrainian and American teams began working on an upcoming meeting,” Mr Zelensky said.
“Andriy Yermak and Mike Waltz have spoken, and there’s positive movement. We hope to see some results next week.”
As Ukraine’s Head of Office, Mr Yermak announced he had spoken to US National Security Advisor Mr Waltz about meeting to discuss the next steps towards “a just and lasting peace”.
“We also exchanged views on security issues and the alignment of positions within the framework of bilateral relations between Ukraine and the United States,” Mr Yermak said.
“We have scheduled a meeting for our teams in the near future to continue this important work.”
It comes as the US has paused all intelligence sharing with Ukraine in an escalation of its rift with Kyiv.
Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe confirmed the move which deprives Ukraine of valuable information it uses to help target Russian forces.
It comes after the US suspended all military aid to the embattled country after a fiery White House spat between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week.
Mr Trump offered a glimmer of hope for peace between Russia and Ukraine during his address to Joint Congress on Tuesday night, revealing he had received a letter from Mr Zelensky earlier that day.
“The letter reads, Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer,” he said.
“Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians. He said my team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.
“We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence.”
Mr Trump said his Ukrainian counterpart said he was willing to sign a deal on minerals and security.
“Simultaneously, we’ve had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace,” the President said.
“Wouldn’t that be beautiful?”
RUSSIA JAILS BRITISH MAN FOR 19 YEARS
A Russian court said a British man captured fighting for Ukraine in Kyiv’s offensive against Russia’s Kursk border region was sentenced to 19 years in prison.
The court press service for the city of Kursk said James Scott Rhys Anderson, 22, was found guilty of a “terrorist act” and acting as a mercenary, after he was captured while fighting in the region in November.
The Kursk court released video of Anderson being led into court in handcuffs, wearing a winter hat and jacket that appeared to be prison
uniform.
He nodded silently after having the sentence translated to him. He has the option to file an appeal.
Ukraine launched its shock cross-border offensive in August, the first time a foreign army took control of Russian territory since World War II.
Anderson, from the English town of Banbury, has spoken in several videos filmed by Russian officials after he was taken prisoner, saying that he went to fight for Ukraine’s International Legion after being sacked from the
British army.
Kursk’s second western district military court spent three days on Anderson’s trial with the hearings held behind closed doors, the press service said.
JUST IN: 🇬🇧🇷🇺 Russia sentences British mercenary James Scott Rees Anderson who fought for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to 19 years in prison. pic.twitter.com/fIOEfq9tbo
— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) March 5, 2025
Russia typically considers foreigners travelling to fight in Ukraine as mercenaries, charging them under its criminal code rather than as
captured prisoners of war, who have protections under the Geneva Conventions.
Britain’s Foreign Office condemned the sentencing on “false charges” and called for Anderson to be treated as a prisoner of
war.
“Under international law, Prisoners of War cannot be prosecuted for participating in hostilities,” it said in a statement.
“We demand that Russia respect these obligations, including those under the Geneva Conventions, and stop using Prisoners of War for political and propaganda purposes.” The court said Anderson admitted guilt and decided to take part in the “armed conflict for financial reward”.
Anderson earlier told Russia’s Izvestia newspaper he was paid $400 (370 euros) a month and about $60 a day while on combat missions.
He was charged with “committing a terrorist act” as part of an organised group, with investigators saying he illegally crossed the border into Russia, caused “significant damage to property” and “destabilised” the activities of authorities.
The Briton was told by the court he would spend the first five years of his sentence in a prison - where conditions are worse than in a penal colony.
He would then be transferred to a penal colony with “strict” conditions. In 2022, a court in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine sentenced two British fighters to death for fighting for Ukraine, although they were later released in an exchange.
ZELENSKY REGRETS OVAL OFFICE STOUSH
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he regrets his heated argument with Donald Trump and his country is “ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible” to put an end to the war with Russia.
In a 258-word post on X shared on Tuesday afternoon (Wednesday AEDT), Mr Zelensky declared he is “ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts”.
His post comes after America announced it had put a halt to billions of dollars in military aid provided to Ukraine and four days after his disastrous meeting with Mr Trump and US Vice-President JD Vance that ended in a heated row at the Oval Office.
At the meeting the US leader told Mr Zelensky he failed to come to the negotiating table and as a result claimed the Ukrainian leader is “gambling with World War Three”.
In the online post the Ukrainian leader said he is “ready to work fast to end the war” and he does “value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence”.
“We remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with javelins,” he wrote.
“We are grateful for this”.
I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир ЗеленÑький (@ZelenskyyUa) March 4, 2025
None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under…
He also outlined that he is ready to sign the minerals deal with America which was meant to be signed at the Oval Office meeting but did not happen after the shouting match erupted.
“Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be,” Mr Zelensky said.
“It is regrettable that it happened this way.
“It is time to make things right. We would like future co-operation and communication to be constructive.
“Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format.
“We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively.
During the Oval Office meeting Mr Trump, visibly annoyed with Mr Zelensky, told him: “I gave you the javelins to take out all those tanks. (Barack) Obama gave you sheets.”
President Trump provided anti tank javelin missiles to Ukraine while Obama gave nonlethal aid only which included blankets.
In the past day Mr Trump criticised Mr Zelensky and said he does not does not want peace with Russia and sent a stern warning that America “will not put up with it for much longer”.
Mr Trump shared a news article headline that read, “Ukraine’s Zelensky says end of war with Russia is ‘very, very far away’.
He posted on Truth Social: “This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelensky, and America will not put up with it for much longer!
“It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be peace as long as he has America’s backing”.
British PM Sir Keir Starmer also had a phone call with Mr Zelensky on Tuesday before the Ukrainian leader posted the tweet.
This also comes after the summit with European leaders held in London on Sunday that was led by Sir Keir.
In several hours time Mr Trump is due to make an address to America and outline his key goals set out for his four-year term.
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Originally published as Emmanuel Macron warns France could use its nukes to defend Europe from Russia