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PARIS (Reuters) – US President Donald Trump on Friday criticized French President Emmanuel Macron, saying it was "very insulting" for him to suggest that Europe should create its own army to protect itself from opponents potential.
US President Donald Trump welcomes the arrival of Air Force One at Orly Airport, near Paris, to attend the commemoration ceremonies on Armistice Day, 100 years after the end of the First World War, in France, November 9, 2018. REUTERS / Carlos Barria
Arriving in Paris for the centennial celebrations of the First World War, Trump launched a note on Twitter, saying that Macron "suggested that Europe build its own military forces to protect itself from the United States, China and Russia ".
"Very insulting, but maybe Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the United States is heavily subsidizing," Trump added, recalling his repeated request to the states to contribute more to the financing of the Western Alliance.
Macron told French radio on Tuesday that Europe needed a real army to reduce its US defense dependence on the resurgence of Russia.
"We will not protect Europeans if we do not decide to build a real European army," said Macron.
"In the face of Russia, which is close to our borders and has shown that it can be threatening – I want to build a real dialogue on security with Russia, a country I respect, a European country – but we must have a Europe that can defend itself without relying solely on the United States, "he added.
The executive of the European Commission later echoed Macron's call for a European military capability. The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, is a long-time supporter of the idea that the European Union should have a more common defense capability.
Commission spokesperson Margaritis Schinas said the EU is working on collaboration in the areas of defense procurement and research, as well as developing its peacekeeping capabilities. for military purposes.
"I do not think this defense identity will start with a European army," Schinas said on Tuesday.
"At some point, probably at the end of the process, we may see something that people are already describing as a European army or pooling European resources to make this European defense identity more visible and meaningful." said Schinas.
Report from Steve Holland; Written by Tim Ahmann and David Alexander; Edited by Cynthia Osterman
