In an interview with several European media outlets, including El País, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Financial Times and Le Monde, Macron argued that Europe can no longer rely on a strategy of deference to Washington or other geopolitical powers. Instead, he said, the European Union must urgently deepen its integration to prepare for what he described as a period of “permanent instability”.
“It is time for Europe to wake up,” Macron said. “If we do not decide for ourselves, we will be swept away.”
The French president warned of a “profound geopolitical rupture”, accompanied by major shocks in trade and defence, as Europe’s relationships with both the US and China evolve. Reducing strategic dependencies and strengthening Europe’s capacity to act independently, he argued, is essential.
“The best way forward is to reduce risks, reduce dependencies and make decisions for ourselves, rather than waiting for the next crisis,” Macron said. “If we choose to be spectators, we will become vassals.”
Referring to what he called the “Greenland moment” — a reference to US interest in the territory of a Nato ally — Macron said European leaders should see it as a wake-up call. He added that while Europeans often “stand firm”, they tend to react too slowly to global shifts.
Macron defended initiatives such as the Franco-British-led “Coalition of the Willing” in support of Ukraine as examples of Europe’s ability to build strong international alliances and assert itself in defence and security matters.
However, he also reignited debate by suggesting that Europe should reopen diplomatic channels with Moscow. He argued that the EU should engage with Russia directly, without naïveté and without pressuring Ukraine, but also without relying on third parties such as the United States to conduct those talks.
“We have European interests to defend, and I am not going to delegate them to anyone, not even the US,” he said.
Macron also warned of renewed tensions with Washington, particularly over Europe’s efforts to regulate social media platforms and over strategic issues such as Greenland, underlining the need for Europe to act with greater unity and confidence as a global power.
