Emmanuel Macron at a press conference at the end of the Extraordinary European Council, Brussels, March 6, 2025. LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP. As soon as the European Cou

France plans to extend its nuclear deterrence to European allies, creating tension with Russia. President Macron's statements led to a strong reaction from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Lavrov accused France of nuclear blackmail and warned that Russia would consider this in its defense strategy.

Facing the prospect that the U.S. might cut them adrift under President Trump, EU leaders held emergency talks to beef up their own security and ensure that Ukraine will be protected. French President Macron floated the idea of using France’s nuclear deterrent to protect Europe from Russian threats.