EMMANUEL MACRON has called for the creation of a "true European army" to protect the EU from 'threats' worldwide, including the United States.
The French President warned today that Russia and China were becoming increasingly powerful, and that the US under President Trump could no longer be relied upon for defence.
"We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America," Mr Macron told Paris radio station Europe 1.
"When I see President Trump announcing that he's quitting a major disarmament treaty which was formed after the 1980s euro-missile crisis that hit Europe, who is the main victim? Europe and its security.
"We will not protect the Europeans unless we decide to have a true European army".
Faced with "a Russia which is at our borders and has shown that it can be a threat", Macron added: "We need a Europe which defends itself better alone, without just depending on the United States, in a more sovereign manner."
Peace in Europe
Mr Macron's strong statement comes as he prepared to welcome Mr Trump and other world leaders - including Russian's Vladimir Putin - to France to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the World War I Armistice this coming Sunday, November 11.
The 40-year-old is currently engaged in a week-long tour of French WWI battlefields in the lead up to the commemorations this weekend.
Last year, the EU launched a multi-billion-euro defence fund to develop Europe's military capacities and make the continent more strategically independent.
France was also a key player in the creation of a nine-country joint military intervention force earlier this year.
"The peace and prosperity which Europe has enjoyed for 70 years are a golden moment in our history,' continued Mr Macron.
"Peace in Europe is precarious... it has never lasted so long."
