Macron Calls for ‘European Strategic Awakening’

French President Emmanuel Macron called for a stronger European defense strategy amid an “accumulation of threats” in an address to the French military on Monday.

He called for a “strategic awakening” and stressed Europe must play a central role in ensuring peace for Ukraine and the Continent as a whole.

The challenge today is to give Ukraine the means to last, and to enter any future negotiations from a position of strength. The challenge tomorrow, when hostilities stop, will be to give Ukraine guarantees against any return of war on its territory, as well as guarantees of our own security.
—Emmanuel Macron

Reinforcing the Army: Macron also announced a project that will encourage more young volunteers to reinforce the armed forces amid this time of heightened tensions. France is aiming for 210,000 active military personnel and 80,000 in reserves by 2030.

Trump: The statements came right as Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. He has said repeatedly that Europe must drastically ramp up its defense spending, and he has indicated the Continent should not rely on the U.S. to defend it from the threat posed by Russia.

“Our American ally says that we must spend more” on defense within nato, “and he is right,” Macron said.

European superpower: Calls for a militarily stronger Europe are intensifying. Bible prophecy forecasts that Europe will move away from its alliance with America and look within to unite the Continent and turn it into a militaristic superpower.

To learn about these prophecies, read our Trends article “Why the Trumpet Watches Europe’s Push Toward a Unified Military.”