Macron Warns of “New Era” as US Aligns With Russia, Offers French Nuclear Umbrella Amid Ukraine War

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday (March 5) announced he would discuss extending France’s nuclear deterrent to European partners and raised the possibility of sending European troops to Ukraine to enforce a peace deal, as Europe scrambles to respond to Donald Trump’s upending of the transatlantic alliance.In an address to the nation, Macron said that the French were “legitimately worried” about the start of a “new era” after Trump began his second stint in the White House by reversing US policy on Ukraine and risking a historic rupture with Europe.”I want to believe that the United States will stay by our side but we have to be prepared for that not to be the case,” he said bluntly. “The future of Europe does not have to be decided in Washington or Moscow,” he added.Trump has made clear his desire to swiftly end the war caused by Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine through direct negotiations with Moscow.But Macron offered a stark picture of Russia’s aggressive behaviour, which he said does “not seem to know borders” after its invasion of Ukraine. n18oc_world n18oc_crux0:00 INTRODUCTION3:27 MACRON PROPOSES FRENCH NUCLEAR EXTENSION5:56 UK, FRANCE REFINE UKRAINE PEACE PLAN 8:12 KREMLIN BELIEVES “MINSK IS THE BEST PLACE” FOR UKRAINE TALKS