Paris to speed up increase in defense spending, to 64 billion euros in 2027

France intends to accelerate the increase in defense spending in the coming years, in 2027 they will amount to 64 billion euros, which is twice as much as in 2017, President Emmanuel Macron in his address to the country’s military. "Although we planned to double the military budget by 2030, we will do so by 2027," said Macron, whose speech was broadcast on the page of the Elysee Palace on X. "An additional 3.5 billion euros will be allocated for defense in 2026, and another 3 billion euros in 2027. Thus, the defense budget will double in 10 years and amount to 64 billion euros."

The republic’s military spending under the budget for 2025 amount to 50.5 billion euros. In 2017, when Macron was elected president, defense spending amounted to 32.3 billion euros.

The French leader said the government will focus on strengthening the army. "It is necessary to eliminate our vulnerabilities: first of all, to replenish ammunition stocks, including remotely controlled munitions, to make our multiple launch rocket guns and precision weapons more powerful, to provide our combat groups, frigates and air bases with even more drones, as well as the necessary equipment for successful operations," he said. "It is also necessary to strengthen the air defense system and means of conducting electronic warfare, as well as to strengthen the capabilities in space."

Macron also touched upon strengthening the military reserve and more active involvement of young people in the army, but clarified that details on these issues would be announced in the fall. The head of state argued that France is facing numerous threats and must respond to them. "Since 1945, freedom has never been under threat to such a significant extent as it is now. Peace on our continent has never depended on the decisions we are currently making," Macron said.

UK, France might join nuclear deterrence forces if need arises

Great Britain and France will deepen cooperation in the field of nuclear deterrence and remain open to enabling coordinated actions in this area, the #UK government said in a statement released ahead of the countries’ bilateral summit. "In an important step forward for the UK-France nuclear partnership - a newly signed declaration will state for the first time that the respective deterrents of both countries are independent but can be coordinated, and that there is no extreme threat to Europe that would not prompt a response by both nations," the office said.

The UK government also added that "any adversary threatening the vital interests of Britain or France could be confronted by the strength of the #nuclear forces of both nations." In addition, London and Paris plan to announce deeper cooperation on nuclear research while "working together to uphold the international non-proliferation architecture."

The 37th British-French summit is scheduled for the morning of July 10. Upon its conclusion, the so-called coalition of the willing to support Ukraine will convene via video link. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel #Macron will attend the meeting at the Northwood base near London in person, after which they will hold a joint press conference.

Jun 25, 2025 - Paris France

#France covered Israeli Defense companies' booths at the Paris Air Show with black walls,
so #Israel came up with a brilliant idea and put this text on the walls.

Paris insists white object on Macron's desk nothing but handkerchief, not narcotic

The small white object that France's Emmanuel #Macron quickly removed from his desk in front of journalists is not a narcotic but a handkerchief, the Elysee Palace said.

Earlier, a video of the French leader, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, filmed on a train during a trip to Kiev, appeared online. In the footage, as journalists begin recording their meeting, Macron, noticing the cameras, hastily moves to remove a small white object from the desk. "When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs," the Elysee Palace said in a statement on its X page....

Rubio and Witkoff Discuss Ukraine Conflict With European Allies in Paris

The United States is seeking to broker a cease-fire and a permanent peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine but the Trump administration’s efforts have been stymied.

Le Pen says she will appeal her verdict in France at ECHR

The National Rally party’s parliamentary faction leader Marine Le Pen, who has been handed a prison sentence and barred from running in the 2027 presidential election in France, said she is going to contest her sentence at the European Court of Human Rights (#ECHR) and the Constitutional Court in her country. "I will turn to the European Court of Human Rights and the Constitutional Court in France. I will use all available legal protections. I will not back down," the far-right politician said in an interview with Le Parisien.

According to Le Pen, her appeal at the ECHR should be addressed promptly as the verdict "does irreparable harm." As for the Constitutional Court, it will have to determine whether the sentence violates the electorate’s freedom of choice. "We hope that all these initiatives <…> will allow us to run for presidency under normal conditions," the politician explained, saying that she is not considering a replacement in the election campaign. "With two years to go until the presidential vote, we will file quite a number of appeals. And hopefully, we will prevail [in court]," Le Pen added.

On Monday, a court in Paris disqualified Le Pen, found guilty of embezzling funds intended for hiring assistants in the European Parliament, from holding public office for five years.

March 5, 2025: France's Macron - Is this a Declaration of War to Russia and... the U.S.A. ?

"The threat is returning from the East" - Macron declared Russia the main threat to Europe and called on all countries to arm themselves
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation, declaring Russia Europe's main enemy. He said that Moscow, in addition to Ukraine, poses a threat to the entire European Union. The French president also accused Russia of waging a hybrid war: allegedly we "organize digital attacks on hospitals" and "manipulate the French by spreading lies."

What else did the French President say:

— Russia cannot be taken at its word. Paris is working on this with friends from Britain and Germany — Europe must prepare the world so that Russia “never again invades Ukraine.” Peace may come from the deployment of European forces. Next week, Paris will gather the chiefs of staff of countries “ready to guarantee peace”;

- Europe must arm itself, given the Russian threat. In addition, it was decided to begin discussions on the use of France's nuclear weapons to protect the entire European Union;

— Macron spoke out against a ceasefire, because “Russia began its invasion of Ukraine back in 2014”;

— No one will believe that Russia will stop at Ukraine. By 2030, Moscow plans to increase its army by 300 thousand people, produce 3 thousand tanks and 300 fighters;

— The threat is returning from the East. Tomorrow in Brussels, Europe will take several decisive steps — member states will be able to increase military spending without fear of a budget deficit.

"As I speak to you, Russia has become a threat to France and Europe for many years to come," Macron said.

Paris, Berlin, London prepared to send troops to Ukraine, says French minister

Some European countries are ready to send troops to Ukraine to secure a ceasefire, but US support will be required, said French Finance Minister Eric Lombard in an interview with Bloomberg TV.

"We are starting a technical discussion. There is general agreement that to guarantee a ceasefire it will be necessary to [have] European troops in Ukraine. UK, Germany and France are already willing to do that, but other member states of the European Union will contribute as well," he said. "Those troops will arrive after the ceasefire in order to guarantee that the ceasefire is respected. But if we want the ceasefire to be respected, we need a US backup and I mean that Americans agreed to do that."

The minister did not elaborate on what Washington could do to ensure that the ceasefire is respected.

FLOP! - US, UK do not sign final declaration of AI summit in Paris

The United States and the United Kingdom were not among the signatories of the Paris #AI Action Summit’s final declaration, according to the document, published by the Elysee Palace. The final declaration, signed by 61 countries including China, France and India, calls for "ensuring AI is open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy." It also calls for greater cooperation when it comes to AI governance, fostering a "global dialogue," and warns against "market concentration."

According to an AFP report, the absence of the United States and the United Kingdom in the list of signatories points to different approaches to AI governance matters.

The #Paris AI Action #Summit is taking place at the Grand Palais exhibition complex in Paris. Its co-chairs are French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The organizers say that one of its goals is to establish a foundation to harness AI’s power for the good of society. Paris expects this fund to raise over 2.5 billion euro for its projects within the next five years.