Macron calls for Europe to become an independent geopolitical power

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Europe to transform itself into an independent geopolitical power capable of providing its own security, speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Friday.

The French leader said it was time for Europe to develop long-term strategic thinking, including deep-strike capabilities and a reassessment of how France's nuclear deterrent could fit into the bloc's future security architecture.

"This is the right time for audacity. This is the right time for a strong Europe," Macron said. "Europe has to learn to become a geopolitical power. It was not part of our DNA. Everyone should take their cue from us, instead of criticising us."

Macron, who is set to enter his final year in office, warned that Europe would continue to face an aggressive Russia even if a deal were reached on the Ukraine war. He said the continent could not yield to Russian demands or accept a short-term accord that would fail to resolve core issues.

The President dismissed claims that Europe was decaying and defended its efforts to combat disinformation and social media excesses harming Western democracies.

He announced plans to launch consultations on Europe's security architecture, which he said had been designed during Cold War times and was no longer adapted to current realities. Macron said he had already begun these discussions with British and German colleagues.

"We have to rearticulate nuclear deterrence in this approach. And this is why we are conceiving, and in a few weeks' time I will detail that, but we engaged a strategic dialogue, obviously with Chancellor Merz, but with a few European leaders, to see how we can articulate our national doctrine, which is guaranteed and controlled by the Constitution," he said.

Macron is scheduled to deliver a speech later this month outlining his perspective on France's nuclear deterrent's role in Europe.