Douglas Kimathi,Jadetimes Staff
D. Kimathi is a Jadetimes news reporter covering political and business updates
French President Emmanuel Macron summoned his top military and intelligence chiefs for an emergency security council meeting in Paris. With Ukraine’s ability to monitor Russian troop movements now severely weakened, Macron warned that Europe’s own security is now directly at risk, particularly if the conflict spills across Ukraine’s borders.
Macron Demands European Self-Reliance
In a dramatic speech following the emergency meeting, Macron urged European nations to stop relying on Washington for their security lifeline. "This is a wake-up call for Europe," Macron declared, pushing for faster development of Europe’s independent intelligence and defense networks. French officials say that Paris, Berlin, and Warsaw are now working urgently on a new tri-nation intelligence-sharing pact, aimed at filling the void left by Washington’s sudden withdrawal.
Military Chiefs Warn of Immediate Russian Advantage
French military experts briefed Macron on the serious tactical advantage Russia could gain from the intelligence cutoff. For months, US satellite data, cyber surveillance, and battlefield analysis have played a critical role in helping Ukrainian forces anticipate Russian offensives. Without that flow of real-time information, Ukrainian commanders could lose their strategic edge, increasing the likelihood of Russian territorial advances. France’s top general, Thierry Burkhard, reportedly told Macron that Europe must act within days, not weeks, to close this intelligence gap.
NATO Fractures Deepen as US and Europe Split
Behind the scenes, the intelligence freeze has also widened divisions within NATO. While Trump insists that European nations must take full responsibility for Ukraine, Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz argue that abandoning Ukraine’s intelligence lifeline undermines NATO’s collective defense commitments. This latest rift follows Trump’s repeated threats to withdraw US troops from Europe, adding to fears that NATO’s longstanding unity could collapse under pressure from within.
French Public Reacts with Anger and Anxiety
In Paris and across France, the public response has been a mixture of outrage and anxiety. Recent polls show that 64% of French citizens believe the US is no longer a reliable partner in European security, while nearly half support expanding France’s military spending to ensure greater independence. Meanwhile, protests have erupted in front of the US Embassy in Paris, with demonstrators accusing Trump of “betraying Europe” and endangering global stability.
What Happens Next: Europe’s Search for Plan B
With intelligence flows disrupted and trust in the US eroded, Macron’s government is moving quickly to reshape France’s strategic outlook. Beyond deepening ties with Germany and Poland, France is also exploring closer military cooperation with Scandinavian countries and increasing investments in satellite surveillance technology. While Macron insists that France remains committed to NATO, he warned that a future built on European self-reliance is now inevitable. Whether Europe can truly step into this leadership role—or whether internal divisions will undermine this ambition—remains the biggest question shaping the continent’s future.
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