Le Pen rejects European nuclear defense plan: Politico

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Politico
1 Mar 2025 22:08

Le Pen's remarks come ahead of a French National Assembly debate on Monday concerning European security and Ukraine.

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French far-right leader Marine Le Pen makes a speech during the far-right Patriots for Europe summit in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP)

Marine Le Pen on Saturday firmly rejected any proposal to pool France's nuclear arsenal for the protection of Europe, vowing to block efforts to create a more integrated European defense strategy. Speaking at the Salon de l'Agriculture in Paris, the right-wing leader stated that France's nuclear deterrent "must not be shared, let alone delegated."

"French defense must remain French defense," she said, opposing calls to expand European military cooperation, which have intensified as US President Donald Trump strengthens ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Le Pen's remarks come ahead of a French National Assembly debate on Monday concerning European security and Ukraine. While the vote is non-binding, it could influence France's defense budget.

Her remarks also come as European leaders weigh plans to strengthen military cooperation, particularly as Trump questions NATO's future role.

Le Pen: US controls war's outcome

Referring to Trump's recent confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Le Pen claimed that the US holds complete control over the war's trajectory, stating, "It is that the Americans decide whether to end or continue the war. And that, for European nations, is a considerable slap in the face."

She further criticized the European Union's efforts to assume a larger role in defense, accusing Brussels of exploiting the crisis to expand its power. "As usual, the European Union is using a crisis to get itself additional powers," Le Pen said. "I can see that they would like this conflict to continue, so that they can take over responsibility for defense. I don't accept this."

Her stance directly opposes Macron, who has long advocated for greater European military coordination and less reliance on the US. Macron has defended France's nuclear force as a key pillar of European security, though he insists it does not mean surrendering sovereignty over the arsenal.