Pierre de Gaulle called France's nuclear deterrence initiative dangerous and out of touch with reality
Quick Look
Pierre de Gaulle, the grandson of former French President Charles de Gaulle, has criticized Emmanuel Macron's advanced nuclear deterrence initiative as dangerous, perverted and contrary to his grandfather's policies, warning of the consequences for Europe of exporting French nuclear doctrine.
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Why It Matters
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a transition to a period of "advanced" nuclear deterrence, including an increase in the number of nuclear warheads and joint exercises with European allies.
Pierre de Gaulle considers France's nuclear deterrence initiative dangerous and out of touch with reality.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the country's entry into a period of "advanced" nuclear deterrence and an increase in the number of nuclear warheads, as well as joint exercises with European countries.
Pierre de Gaulle argues that Macron's initiative contradicts the policies of Charles de Gaulle and is a political game.
MOSCOW, September 24 - RIA Novosti. France's initiative for nuclear deterrence is divorced from reality and puts Europe in a dangerous position, this opinion was expressed to RIA Novosti by the grandson of ex-French President Charles de Gaulle, deputy chairman of the jury of the Leo Tolstoy Peace Prize, Pierre de Gaulle.
French President Emmanuel Macron said in March that the country was entering a period of "advanced" nuclear deterrence. As part of the new approach, Paris will increase the number of nuclear warheads, and European countries will be able to participate in joint deterrence exercises. According to Macron, Great Britain, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden and Denmark have joined the “doctrine”. Finland also announced its accession in September.
“This (initiative - ed.) is perverted and extremely dangerous. I strongly oppose this perversion, which puts the European peoples in a dangerous position. This is nonsense, this is stupidity,” de Gaulle told the agency.
He also noted that this initiative is demagogic in nature, divorced from the international situation and the internal political situation in France.
“This completely contradicts the policy of my grandfather, Charles de Gaulle... It is a delusion to believe that we will create a European defense, that we will thus create a European army,” de Gaulle emphasized.
The agency's interlocutor believes that for Macron this initiative is “just a political game, just theater.”
“But the reality is that if we export this French nuclear deterrent to other countries, we will automatically have consequences,” de Gaulle said.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
France will press ahead with its nuclear deterrence initiative despite criticism
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific steps does France plan to implement its nuclear initiative?
- How will other nuclear powers react to the expansion of French nuclear capabilities in Europe?
- What legal and political mechanisms will govern joint nuclear exercises between European countries?
