Yesterday, while holding a press conference in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was unexpectedly interrupted by a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron.
In the middle of speaking to journalists, Zelensky paused, politely answering the phone.
He apologized to the room, saying, “Sorry Emmanuel… I just have a conversation with some journalists.
Can I ring you back in some minutes, 15-20 minutes? Please, thank you, Emmanuel.”
Afterward, Zelensky shared with reporters that his relationship with Macron was close, stating, “We have close relations between our countries.
He helps a lot. I am very grateful to him.” He went on to explain that he speaks with Macron frequently, noting that they typically connect “on average once a day.”
Tensions Rise as UK Prepares for Major Military Launch
The phone call came at a crucial moment, as British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was preparing to announce a major step in strengthening the UK’s defense.
Today, Starmer will visit Barrow to lay the keel of HMS Dreadnought, one of the new nuclear-powered submarines set to replace Britain’s aging fleet.
These submarines are intended to secure the UK’s nuclear deterrence well into the 2030s.
Starmer’s visit will coincide with a closed-door meeting involving European military chiefs.
The discussion will center on the future defense of Ukraine and the development of a ‘coalition of the willing.’
The UK, along with France, has been a key player in shaping how Europe can safeguard Ukraine’s long-term security.
Together, they have devised a plan that may involve deploying tens of thousands of peacekeepers to the region, despite warnings from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
UK’s Military Strategy and Global Security Concerns
Speaking to BBC Breakfast this morning, UK Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard emphasized the importance of a ‘credible force’ to ensure Ukraine can achieve lasting peace.
Pollard added that a successful peace process would allow Ukraine to rearm and rebuild, preventing Putin from advancing further.
He argued, “Putin won’t stop if he wins in Ukraine. If he subjugates the entirety of Ukraine, he will simply rearm and look where else he can extend his influence.”
The specifics of the defense plan remain unclear, but it is expected that countries like the UK, France, and other European nations will take responsibility for safeguarding Ukraine on the ground once a peace deal is in place.
Ukrainian forces would maintain control of a demilitarized zone along the frontlines, while an Anglo-French reassurance force would secure key infrastructure throughout the country.
Concerns Over US Support and European Defense Strengthening
There are significant concerns regarding the US’s role in this new defense framework.
The White House’s reluctance to fully commit to European security, particularly under a future administration led by Donald Trump, has spurred a new wave of rearmament within the European Union. Macron, for one, has made strengthening France’s defense a priority.
Over the course of his two terms, he has already initiated a doubling of France’s defense budget, with even more ambitious goals in the near future.
Recently, Macron visited a French air force base near Germany to announce the deployment of fighter jets equipped with next-generation hypersonic nuclear missiles.
These are part of a broader effort to modernize France’s airborne nuclear deterrent.
Macron emphasized the need to innovate and strengthen France’s military capabilities, stating, “We haven’t waited for 2022 or the turning point we’re seeing right now to discover that the world we live in is ever more dangerous, ever more uncertain.”
Germany’s Major Shift in Military Strategy
In the wake of this growing tension, Germany has also taken significant steps to bolster its defense readiness.
Earlier this week, the German parliament approved a new spending plan under Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz.
The plan calls for the removal of the so-called ‘debt brake,’ which has long restricted government borrowing, and a €500 billion fund aimed at revitalizing Germany’s military capabilities.
Merz, alongside members of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), expressed the necessity of the new defense strategy, with Merz declaring, “The decision we are taking today on defense readiness… can be nothing less than the first major step towards a new European defense community.”
The legislation still needs approval from the Bundesrat, but it is expected to pass without major obstacles.
European Allies Celebrate Germany’s Defense Commitment
European leaders have praised Germany’s new defense investment plan.
French President Macron, speaking alongside outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, congratulated the Bundestag on their historic vote.
Macron noted that this decision would not only benefit Germany but also strengthen Europe’s collective defense posture.
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, also welcomed Germany’s move, calling it “excellent news” for Europe.
She emphasized that the decision sends a clear message of Germany’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities, signaling a shift towards a more robust European defense framework.
Strengthening NATO’s European Pillar for the Future
With the approval of this spending plan, Germany is positioning itself as a key player in NATO’s European defense structure.
Both Macron and Scholz highlighted that the strengthened European defense pillar would, in turn, reinforce the entire transatlantic alliance, ensuring the security of the continent in an increasingly volatile global landscape.