Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a pointed defense of Europe, appearing to respond indirectly to US tariff pressures and rhetoric about Greenland while urging the European Union to stand firm in protecting its interests.

He argued that Europe must demonstrate an “unwavering commitment” to defending its economic and strategic priorities at a time of heightened geopolitical strain.

From the outset, Macron struck an optimistic tone. He said he “wanted to come today in front of you with a message of hope and determination.”

“Where some see threats, I see our fortitude, where some see doubts, I want to see opportunity, because I believe that Europe is inherently strong and can be made even stronger yet,” he stressed.

Macron acknowledged a growing tendency, both at the conference and more broadly, to dismiss or openly criticize Europe.

A ‘message of hope and determination’

He noted that Europe has been portrayed as “an ageing, slow, fragmented construct,” sidelined by history and burdened by excessive regulation.

Critics, he said, have painted the continent as economically stagnant, resistant to innovation, weakened by migration, and even as a place hostile to free speech and tolerant of “alternative facts".

In laying out these characterizations, Macron sought to dismantle what he framed as misleading narratives about Europe’s decline.

A defense of the European project

Macron then pivoted to a broader defense of the European Union’s postwar foundations, describing it as “a radically original political construction of free, sovereign states.”

He reiterated a familiar argument: the EU must remain successful and cohesive if it hopes to remain attractive to aspiring member states, including those in the western Balkans.

“Everyone should take their cue from us, instead of criticising us or trying to divide us,” he said.

While praising Europe’s achievements across economic, political, and social domains, Macron conceded that reform remains necessary.

“Obviously, we have to fix a lot of things,” he acknowledged, urging fellow leaders to “speak about our homework behind closed doors, and let’s deliver.”

From there, he turned to the war in Ukraine and Europe’s broader security posture.

No peace without Europe

On Ukraine, Macron argued that Europe has stepped up decisively, increasing its support and helping organize a coalition prepared to offer Kiev security guarantees.

He asserted that, four years after the war, Russia is weaker than before.

“When I hear some defeatist speech about Ukraine, when I hear some leaders urging Ukraine to accept they are defeated, overpricing Russia in this war, this is a huge strategic mistake, because this is not a reality,” Macron said.

“One day, Russians will have to reckon with the enormity of the crime committed in their name, with the futility of the pretexts and the devastating, longer-term effects on their country, but until that time comes, we will not lower the guard,” the French president added.

Macron emphasized that any future settlement must safeguard Ukraine while reinforcing European security and deterring future aggression.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he was unequivocal about Europe’s role in shaping any peace agreement:

“No peace without the Europeans. I want to be very clear: you can negotiate without the Europeans, if you prefer, but it will not bring a peace at the table,” he declared.

Redefining Europe’s Security Architecture

Macron argued that Europe must not outsource negotiations over its own security, an implicit reference to reliance on Washington in past diplomatic arrangements.

He recalled the collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, noting that he learned of the US withdrawal in 2019 “in the newspapers, as all the allies.”

“We have to be the one to negotiate this new architecture of security for the for Europe the day after, because our geography will not change,” he said.

Looking beyond the Ukraine war, Macron called for discussions on establishing new “rules of co-existence” with Russia and shaping a durable European security framework.

He proposed launching a series of consultations on the issue, noting that preliminary work has already begun with Germany and the United Kingdom, while inviting other European allies to participate in crafting a necessary postwar security order.