Paris's relative absence in its supply of weapons to Ukraine leaves eastern European countries wary.
If France wants to lead Europe to a new era of military self-reliance, how come its contribution to the war effort in Ukraine is so small?
"I was concerned about the reliability of the statistics which showed France low on the list of contributing countries," says François Heisbourg, who is perhaps France's most influential defence analyst. Ukraine's Caesars are fully one quarter of France's entire mobile artillery. It cannot offer much more without making itself vulnerable in regions where it is already committed, like the Sahel and the Indo-Pacific.
"When I was in Kyiv, everyone was very polite. I had no sense that the Ukrainians disapproved of us," he says. "In a way it was worse. I had the distinct feeling we were becoming irrelevant." Already many countries of eastern Europe are wary of President Macron, who they believe was far too indulgent towards Russia's Vladimir Putin in the first months of the war. A narrative has taken root according to which France still feels ambivalent about an outright Ukrainian triumph.
"France's goal of strategic autonomy for Europe is focused primarily on building up our defence industries via joint procurement. But if you want joint procurement, you have to demonstrate to other countries that you have the same vision about our common security," he says.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Beckhams including Brooklyn ‘so proud’ of Victoria after Paris Fashion Week showVictoria, Brooklyn and his new wife Nicola Peltz put any feuding to one side as the Spice Girl-turned-designer made a splash in the French capital on Friday night
Read more »
Leonardo DiCaprio and Gigi Hadid seen at same Paris hotel amid romance rumoursRumours that Leonard DiCaprio and Gigi Hadid are dating have intensified this week after the Wolf of Wall Street actor was reportedly seen leaving the model's hotel in Paris during the early hours
Read more »
Gigi And Naomi Celebrate Messika’s “Empowering” Paris Fashion Week Runway ShowThe Parisian house’s latest high jewellery collection heralds the return of body jewellery.
Read more »
‘Emily In Paris’ Season 3 Will Be On Screens Sooner Than You Might ThinkFrom the returning cast members to the predictably outlandish costumes, everything we know so far about the third instalment of the Netflix hit
Read more »
Thousands March in Paris to Support Protesters in IranThousands of people marched in Paris on Sunday to show their support for Iranian protesters standing up to their leadership over the death of Mahsa Amini
Read more »