PARIS, France — French President Emmanuel Macron has urged European nations to prepare for the possibility of defending Ukraine without the United States, warning that Russia remains a direct threat to Europe’s security.
In a primetime address from the Élysée Palace on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Macron stressed that while he hopes the U.S. will continue supporting Ukraine, European nations must not depend on it.
“I want to believe that the U.S. will stand by our side, but we have to be ready for that not to be the case,” Macron said.
“Whether we reach peace in Ukraine soon or not, we need to be able to recognize the Russian threat and better defend ourselves in order to deter such attacks.”
Macron called for increased military investment across Europe to ensure security and deterrence.
“Whatever happens, we need to provide ourselves with more arms, more equipment in terms of defense, to provide a dissuasive force,” he said.
Europe Weighs a More Active Role
The French leader’s remarks echoed recent comments by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who suggested over the weekend that Europe may eventually need to deploy forces to Ukraine.
Macron reinforced that position, saying European troops could be sent, but only after a peace agreement is signed.
“Our forces will be there if necessary to guarantee peace, not before a peace agreement is signed,” Macron said.
“We will continue to meet with allies to move towards the signing of such an agreement.”
Macron also warned that Ukraine’s fate could determine the security of Europe as a whole.
“Who can believe that in this context, Russia will stop at Ukraine? Russia has become, and will remain, a threat to France and Europe,” he said.
Fractures in U.S.-Ukraine Relations
Macron and Starmer’s push for European unity follows a dramatic Oval Office confrontation on Friday between President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Vice President JD Vance.
The clash underscored tensions between Kyiv and Washington, culminating in the White House temporarily pausing military aid to Ukraine—a major blow to its war effort.
Trump later claimed in a joint address to Congress on Tuesday that he had received “an important letter” from Zelenskyy expressing a desire for peace and gratitude for U.S. support.
The Ukrainian leader confirmed the letter in a social media post, calling the White House meeting “regrettable” but thanking Trump’s administration and suggesting he was willing to negotiate a minerals agreement that could provide the U.S. with access to Ukraine’s natural resources.
Despite this, major uncertainties remain. Ukraine has long insisted on “security guarantees” before agreeing to any ceasefire, fearing that without firm commitments from Europe and the U.S., Russia could violate any truce.
Strategic Shifts and Uncertain Future
For Europe, the U.S. aid freeze highlights the urgent need for greater military self-sufficiency.
While European nations have steadily increased defense spending since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the continent remains years away from independently countering Moscow’s military without American support.
The concern among European leaders and military analysts is that a ceasefire could allow Russia to regroup and embolden President Vladimir Putin by showing that aggression against a European country can yield rewards.
Zelenskyy, once firm in his demand for security guarantees, now appears under mounting pressure from both Moscow and Washington.
In his latest comments, he hinted that Ukraine may accept a minerals agreement as a “step toward” stronger commitments from the West.
As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, Macron and Starmer have emerged as leading voices pushing for European readiness, underscoring that the continent cannot afford to remain passive.
“To remain a spectator in this dangerous world would be crazy,” Macron warned. “The path to peace cannot be achieved by abandoning Ukraine.
