Staff Report
French President Emmanuel Macron issued a stark warning on Monday, declaring that Europe’s freedom is under its most serious threat since the end of World War II. Speaking at a defense forum in Paris, Macron cited growing geopolitical instability, the war in Ukraine, and rising authoritarianism as critical challenges facing the continent.
“War has returned to our soil, and with it, the question of our survival,” Macron said. “The freedom, security, and values that define Europe are at stake. This is the most dangerous moment for our continent since 1945.”
Macron emphasized the urgency for Europe to strengthen its strategic autonomy and defense capabilities, calling on EU member states to increase military spending and deepen cooperation on security issues. He also reiterated his call for a more united European defense policy that is less dependent on the United States.
His comments come amid renewed Russian offensives in Ukraine, rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and internal political divisions within Europe. Macron warned that complacency could prove fatal, stressing that Europe must “act decisively, invest in its own security, and defend its way of life.”
European leaders have echoed similar sentiments in recent months, but Macron’s speech marked one of the strongest and most direct appeals for collective European resilience in the face of mounting threats.
