19
May
2026
Watch
Europe's response to reduced US military deployments in Europe, particularly at its Eastern flank in the light of the latest US decisions (debate)
Madam President, High Representative, as you have said, the American disengagement from Europe will continue after Mr Trump's term, because Washington's deep direction is clear: Europe is no longer a priority theatre for the United States and the European armed forces must themselves guarantee conventional deterrence on the continent. Added to this long-term redirection is a crisis of confidence and uncertainty in the transatlantic relationship. Uncertainty is perhaps the worst enemy of staffs and strategists. In this situation, we have two imperatives. First, European states must be able to guarantee conventional deterrence on the continent, thus accelerating on the path to autonomy. But above all, trust between allies of the Old Continent must be total and lasting. That is why, at a time when the French presidential election will be held in a year's time and my party is well placed to win, I would like to reaffirm in this Chamber our position: France will guarantee its commitments on the eastern flank of Europe, from the Baltic to the Black Sea, in Romania as a framework nation, in Estonia as part of the multinational battalion, or in the airspace of the Baltic countries. Colleagues, the context does not invite panic or dispersion. Let us give ourselves the means to deter anyone who threatens us, even if we were to be alone. It's not a Plan B, it's a matter of life or death.