Kubilius crowns Macron king of Europe: “France should lead European defence”

Brussels –France should lead Europe’s common defence. It is more than just an idea, with Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius explicitly calling on the French government to take the reins of Europe’s collective security, urging the other member states to rally around the leadership role France is expected to play. “France is at the forefront of European defence, thanks to its powerful military, its defence industry, and its independent nuclear deterrent,” Kubilius noted while speaking at Eurosatory, the global trade fair dedicated to the defence and security sector.

Looking at the bigger picture, “France will become increasingly important”, the Defence Commissioner said. “While Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine and America’s allies are calling on Europe to take on greater responsibility for European defence, European citizens are looking for leadership on defence matters. And European citizens are looking to France.“ 

Kubilius is effectively giving French President Emmanuel Macron the mandate to make his country the heart of the integration that has so far been lacking. The Defence Commissioner’s recommendation has its own logic: France does indeed boast a cutting-edge industrial base with major companies (Thales, Airbus Defence, Safran, Dassault Aviation, KNDS); it is the only EU Member State to have a nuclear bomb, and the only EU country with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. In short, it is the nation best placed to assume responsibility and play a leading role in addressing the new challenges facing the twelve-star Union. 

For France, this is also an ideal historical moment: with the United Kingdom out of the European Union, Paris can take on a leading role without British opposition and rivalry. If the UK were also to reconsider Brexit and opt for a return to the twelve‑star club, and this is more than speculation, as proposals to that effect do exist, London would find itself having to accept a scenario in which France emerges as the leading power. It would be difficult for Macron and French “grandeur” to reject Kubilius’s proposal.

 Meanwhile, the Defence Commissioner is trying to entice Paris even further, announcing from the podium that “I will sign the SAFE loan agreement for France in a few hours’ time.“ This, he emphasises, amounts to “15 billion euros to support the strengthening of defence in France and across Europe.” This confirms the political and industrial framework that Kubilius has in mind for the present and, even more so, for the future. Agreed in early April, the loans for Paris under the 150 billion euro defence programme have not yet been disbursed.