French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a stark warning that Russian aggression extends beyond Ukraine and poses a direct threat to France and Europe. In a televised address, he stressed the need for European nations to prepare for a future in which US support is no longer guaranteed.

“I want to believe the US will stay by our side,” Macron said. “But we have to be ready if that isn’t the case.”

His speech aimed to reassure voters amid growing concerns over European security, the war in Ukraine, and trade tensions following Donald Trump’s decision to pause US military aid to Ukraine and impose new tariffs on EU goods.

“The war in Ukraine, which has left nearly a million dead or injured, continues with the same intensity,” Macron said. He described the global landscape as increasingly brutal, warning that remaining passive in the face of danger would be “madness.”

Reaffirming France’s commitment to Ukraine, he stated that Europe must continue supporting Kyiv until a solid peace agreement is reached. Rejecting the notion of forcing Ukraine into talks under unfavorable terms, Macron declared, “Peace cannot be concluded at any price.”

He also questioned whether Russia would stop at Ukraine, hinting at broader security risks. While ruling out immediate deployment of European forces on the frontline, he suggested they could play a role in ensuring a future peace deal.

Macron further revealed plans to discuss extending France’s nuclear deterrence to other European nations, though he emphasized that control would always remain with the French president.

Addressing trade tensions, he criticized Trump’s tariff measures as “incomprehensible” and vowed that Europe would respond, while expressing hope for a resolution.

The address comes ahead of a key European summit in Brussels, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with EU leaders. The summit follows Trump’s abrupt halt to US military aid for Ukraine, intensifying pressure on European nations to step up their support.

Macron’s speech reflects growing concerns over a shifting geopolitical landscape, as Europe grapples with the possibility of defending itself without US backing while facing increasing economic and security challenges.