French President Emmanuel Macron sharply criticized the UK’s recent migration bill concerning deportations to Rwanda, deeming it a ‘betrayal of European values’. During a speech at Sorbonne University, he discussed European unity, defence strategies and called for reduced dependency on the US.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently critiqued migration policies that involve deportations to African nations, terming them a “betrayal of European values”. This statement came in the wake of the UK government passing a bill concerning deportation to Rwanda. Macron made these remarks during a speech at the Sorbonne University in Paris, where he addressed several broad issues including defence, the aftermath of Brexit, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Macron’s discourse reiterated the importance of European unity and independence, particularly in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He proposed bolstered cooperation among European armies, the creation of regional defence frameworks, and a new European military academy. He also called for Europe to reduce its reliance on other nations, notably the US, for security and trade, thereby preventing new dependencies that could undermine its sovereignty.
In the same realm of defence and geopolitical strategy, Macron highlighted the intensive urban warfare training being undertaken by French troops from the 92nd Infantry Regiment in Sissonne, Aisne. This training is part of preparations for a potential deployment to Ukraine, although French officials, including the Chief of Staff of the French Army, have clarified that direct frontline combat is not necessarily implied.
On the economic front, Macron voiced severe concerns about Europe’s vulnerability to economic decline, rising illiberalism, and external conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. He declared these as mortal threats to Europe and urged for radical reforms within the EU concerning defence, monetary policy, and investment strategies. Among his suggestions were doubling the EU’s financial resources, enhancing defence industry collaboration through common debt issuance, and developing a unified European defence concept in alignment with NATO.
Moreover, Macron advocated for the EU to adopt a policy of “European preference” in defence and space industries, despite acknowledging the complexities this might bring, including potential referendums in some member states. He also pushed for new EU sanctions targeting entities and individuals linked to Russian destabilisation efforts.
These series of speeches and proposals come at a critical time as Macron seeks to shape the direction of Europe ahead of upcoming elections, underscoring his vision for a powerful, self-reliant Europe capable of navigating the modern geopolitical landscape and asserting its strategic independence on the global stage.
