Security in Europe

Macron: EU defense clause stronger than NATO's Article 5

The EU's defense clause is stronger than NATO's Article 5. That's what French President Emmanuel Macron says, according to The Guardian.

- Regarding Article 42, paragraph seven, it's not just words. For us, it's clear and there's no room for interpretation or ambiguity, he says.

He says there are doubts about NATO's Article 5, which means that an attack on one NATO country is seen as an attack on all, and that this is not due to Europe but to the United States.

US President Donald Trump has recently harshly criticized NATO countries for not helping in the war against Iran. He has also threatened to withdraw from the alliance - something he cannot do without a vote in the Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required. 

Macron: “Unique situation” when the US, China and Russia are all against Europe

European countries need to do more to defend their own interests, as the US, China and Russia are all against Europe. This was said by French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, according to Politico.

– We should not underestimate that this is a unique moment where an American president, a Russian president and a Chinese president are all hostile to Europe. This is the right time for us to wake up, he said.

He also believes that the rift that has emerged between Europe and the US will persist after Donald Trump. During Donald Trump’s first term in office, many European leaders believed that it was a divergence that would pass. Now, according to Macron, the leaders are more “clear-sighted.”

– We must act as Europeans, be more united and defend our own interests. For me, this is the right way forward.

Sources: Sweden may contribute to British “defense bank” to arm Europe

The British government has plans to create a “defense bank” that will be used to arm Europe’s defense, sources tell The Telegraph.

The “bank” could, for example, be used to finance joint defense projects or military support for Ukraine, the newspaper writes.

According to the information, the ten European NATO members in the north will participate. In addition to the United Kingdom, this includes Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Iceland and the Netherlands.

An announcement on the matter may come before July, when this year’s NATO summit is arranged in Turkey.