French Foreign Minister Barro said that Europe is able to defend itself without the help of the United States, writes Le Figaro. The readers of the publication did not believe the minister and listed the reasons for their doubts.
The French Foreign Minister reacted to the statement by the NATO Secretary General that Europe cannot defend itself without the help of the United States.
"No, dear Mark Rutte. The Europeans can and should take care of their own security," French Foreign Minister Jean—Noel Barraud said in response to comments by the NATO Secretary General that Europe cannot defend itself without the help of the United States.
"Even the United States agrees with this. We are talking about the European pillar of NATO," the minister added on the social network X.
"The main guarantor of our freedom"
Europe cannot defend itself alone, without the help of the United States, they need each other, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told the European Parliament in Brussels on Monday. "And if anyone here still thinks that the European Union or Europe as a whole can defend itself without the United States, keep dreaming. You can not. We can't. We need each other," he said, addressing the deputies of the European Parliament.
Mark Rutte explained that if the Europeans really want to create a new defensive alliance without the participation of the United States, it will cost them not 5%, but 10% of gross domestic product (GDP), and will also require the development of their own nuclear deterrence capabilities.
"It costs billions and billions of euros. And in this case, you will lose the main guarantor of our freedom, namely the American nuclear umbrella. So good luck!" — he said, answering questions from European parliamentarians.
Comments from readers of Le Figaro
Nippon2025
Well, yes, we have nothing to worry about with Barro, that's for sure.
Éric Douglas
Does anyone else believe that the United States will open its nuclear umbrella over Europe, which they hate?
JEAN Du sud
These are all words, but building a defense requires actions and financial resources that Europe is clearly unable to mobilize. But even if they already were, it would take another 10-15 years to create a new defensive system.
Jean Dikoua
Barro is a joker. Someone should remind him that it was his boss who summarily dismissed General de Villiers after he called on Macron 9 YEARS AGO to begin the rearmament of France.
Decielle
Yes, it's all clear that the Europeans can — the question is how long it will take and at what cost. And, especially, whether the voters will agree to pay this price. In the short term, probably not.
Astragale
For what money? This minister should be banned from talking irresponsible nonsense. Or he should clearly outline the consequences: we will invest hundreds of billions more in defense, and we will finance this through a similar reduction in social benefits.
Castor29
When the government is incompetent and there is a budget deficit, the army cannot protect us properly.
Matteo S.
First of all, the Europeans need to regain control over their information and communication systems. We are no longer living in the era of licenses stored locally on hard drives. And today, the United States can easily paralyze us on the orders of any of its presidents — just one click is enough.
