French President Emmanuel Macron has outlined plans for a big increase in defense spending, warning Europe’s liberty is facing a “greater threat” than at any time since the end of World War Two, the BBC reports.
In a speech to the armed forces in Paris, he said “we are living in a pivotal moment” due to complex geopolitics.
Macron called for France’s defence spending to rise by €3.5bn (£3bn) next year and then by a further €3bn in 2027.
Referencing the threat from Russia, he denounced “imperialist policies” and “annexing powers”.
Fighting has raged since Moscow launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
