In Athens, Macron defends the European moment against fierce opposition from Trump, Putin, and Xi

French President Emmanuel Macron called for a “renewal” of Europe in the face of a “unique moment” with “an American president, a Russian president, and a Chinese president” who, according to him, are “strongly opposed to Europeans.” Macron arrived in Greece for a two-day visit aimed at further strengthening defense partnership with this key ally, especially in naval matters, as freedom of navigation is obstructed in the Gulf.

The visit to Greece marked a symbolic moment for Macron, highlighting the coherence of his discourse on European sovereignty, a topic he has championed throughout his tenure. Reflecting on the numerous crises the European Union has faced in the past nine years, including the challenges posed by Donald Trump, conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, Macron emphasized the importance of a European response at this critical juncture.

“Reliable”

Macron reiterated the EU’s reliability and predictability amid global uncertainties, stressing the need for the EU to become a true geopolitical power. Despite categorizing Trump, Putin, and Xi as opponents of Europe, Macron acknowledged the United States as an ally, albeit one that may not always be reliable or predictable.

During the visit, Mitsotakis emphasized the EU countries’ commitment to mutual military support in the event of a potential threat as outlined in the EU Treaty. He highlighted the political message that EU countries, including Greece, rely not only on NATO for security but also have a strong European defense dimension.

The leaders were set to discuss ongoing conflicts, including the Iranian and American blockades of the Strait of Hormuz which impact the global economy. Greece, with a significant commercial fleet, hosts the headquarters of the EU naval operation Aspides in the Red Sea. Macron hinted at a future multinational mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz once calm is restored, involving non-belligerent countries.

As part of the defense cooperation, Greece, seeking to bolster its military capabilities, had ordered 24 Rafale fighter jets and three Belharra frigates from France, totaling over 5.5 billion euros. Macron and Mitsotakis were scheduled to visit the first of the frigates delivered, Kimon, on Saturday.

Greece, citing tensions with Turkey, justifies its defense purchases and currently ranks among the four NATO countries allocating over 3% of GDP to defense spending. The leaders were also expected to sign a new comprehensive strategic partnership agreement to deepen cooperation in economic and innovation sectors.