France’s nuclear doctrine: expert analyzes Macron’s strategy amid Russian threat

He discussed this on Espreso.

"Europe has historically had little say in nuclear matters because it was under the U.S. ‘nuclear umbrella.’ France’s military doctrine allows for only a single nuclear strike on specific targets — either strategically significant or symbolic. France considers this approach sufficient. In other words, full-scale nuclear war isn’t on the table. This is important to understand, especially when comparing the nuclear arsenals of Russia, France, and the UK combined. Their total number of warheads is far smaller than Russia’s. For instance, France and the UK have about 415, while Russia has over 5,000," Sunhurovskyi said.

On the idea of European peacekeepers, he noted that stationing troops in Ukraine even after a ceasefire would be seen by Russia as direct military support.

"The discussion repeatedly emphasizes that this would only happen after a peace agreement. Only then, at Ukraine’s request, could foreign troops enter, and even then, only if the Constitution is amended, since it currently prohibits foreign military forces and bases. In that case, it would only be a temporary presence," he added.

• On March 5, French President Emmanuel Macron initiated a strategic debate on the use of French nuclear weapons to protect European allies.
• On March 9, Germany’s future Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated he wanted talks with France and the UK on jointly using nuclear weapons, but not as a substitute for U.S. nuclear defense in Europe.