Reference Message Network reported on May 15th according to Agence France-Presse's report on May 13th, French President Macron said on May 13th that he was prepared to discuss with other European countries the deployment of French aircraft equipped with nuclear weapons, taking another step towards expanding France's nuclear deterrence to Europe.

Since early March, Macron has mentioned this matter multiple times. This discussion is being held against the backdrop of improved relations between the United States and Russia and concerns in Europe about a significant reduction in U.S. military involvement.

In an interview with France Télévisions, Macron stated: "We are ready to initiate this discussion. I will very formally define the framework for the discussion in the coming weeks or months." The United States has already implemented such deployments in some European countries.

However, Macron proposed three conditions: "France will not pay for the security of others"; "Any possible future deployment will not affect France's needs"; and finally, "the ultimate decision-making authority will always remain with the President of the Republic, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces."

Macron emphasized that such discussions will not change France's nuclear strategy principles. He pointed out: "Since General de Gaulle established the nuclear strategy principles, we have always considered European-level considerations when dealing with major interests. We do not elaborate on this because ambiguity is part of deterrence."

Macron had put forward this idea in a speech in early March, stating that he hoped to open a strategic discussion on the protection of Europe by France's nuclear umbrella. His remarks were in response to comments made by Merz, who might become Germany's Chancellor, suggesting that Europe must prepare for the worst-case scenario of NATO losing American security guarantees.

In the past two months, several EU member states have expressed their positions, including leaders of Scandinavian countries - who have traditionally been cautious on nuclear issues but now show openness.

Currently, France's nuclear strategy principles limit cooperation options in terms of nuclear deterrence, such as allowing European aircraft to participate in French nuclear exercises and providing escort fighter jets.

Macron stated on May 13th: "The moment we are in now is a moment of geopolitical awakening. Our Europe is first and foremost built for peace." He emphasized: "Our greatest challenge is to maintain freedom."

According to a report by Handelsblatt on May 14th, French President Macron raised the possibility of deploying French nuclear fighters in European allies. He stated in an evening television interview that the United States had deployed aircraft and nuclear bombs in "Belgium, Germany, Italy, Turkey," its NATO partners, "and we are ready to start these discussions."

Macron announced that the framework for possible deployments would be determined "in the coming weeks or months." In this way, under the background of questions about the loyalty of U.S. President Trump to NATO, the French president clarified his proposal to expand France's nuclear umbrella multiple times.

So far, military experts have only speculated that the deployment of "Rafale" fighters capable of carrying nuclear bombs at European military bases might be one of the options proposed by France. The "Rafale" fighter is a multi-purpose fighter jet developed by the French manufacturer Dassault for the French Air Force and Navy.

The second pillar of the so-called "strike force" is the four submarines equipped with nuclear missiles, which are patrolling a secret route across the world's oceans. Another possibility of cooperation is that European partner fighters may participate in France's nuclear force exercises.

Unlike Britain, France is completely independent of the United States in nuclear weapons. However, Germany believes that France's arsenal of fewer than 300 nuclear warheads cannot replace America's nuclear protection.

In addition, unlike within NATO, Germany does not participate in France's nuclear weapon usage decisions. Within NATO, the so-called nuclear sharing allows Germany to participate in American combat plans to a certain extent.

On the night of May 13th, Macron commented on domestic and foreign policy issues during a three-hour long interview program. He said that this proposal should ultimately not come at the expense of France's own needs.

Reports say that Macron's proposal is not an empty promise: for the president, expanding the shield has strategic importance because a nuclear attack on close European allies also threatens France's "core interests." (Translated by Wang Zhongju and Nie Litao)

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