**Macron’s Efforts to Lead Europe’s Defense**
French President Emmanuel Macron has been making efforts to solidify the support for Ukraine and rebuild European defenses. He announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth 2 billion euros on March 26, which included anti-tank missiles, air defense systems, Mirage fighter jet missiles, armored vehicles, ammunition, and other aid.
**Tough Road Ahead**
Despite Macron’s efforts, there are many challenges ahead for Europe to become independent from the US in terms of defense. European officials told The Kyiv Independent that at least 20 EU countries will likely use a 150 billion euro fund from which member states can borrow to spend on collective European defense.
However, finding the money to pay for this ramping up of European defense is a fundamental challenge. European officials said one reason why France won’t use the EU schemes to borrow more money is because the government is worried about the country‘s already huge debt burden and Macron’s domestic struggles.
**Nuclear Option**
Macron has also invited fellow European leaders to explore if and how France’s nuclear arsenal could be deployed to deter Russian aggression against the rest of Europe. Poland and Germany have both signaled a desire to engage in discussions about France’s nuclear umbrella for fear that American nuclear guarantees to Europe may soon be withdrawn.
However, even combining British and French nuclear capacity, experts say it might not be enough to deter Russia. What would be important is to have those weapons in countries like Poland so the delivery becomes much more realistic and feasible, and since no one wants to use them, it would have a far greater deterrent effect.
**UK and France’s Nuclear Arsenal**
The UK and France are the only two European nuclear powers with 515 nuclear warheads. They have the ability to deploy their nuclear weapons both by sea and air. In comparison, the United States has 1,750 warheads, and Russia boasts 1,570.
**EU’s Role**
Macron has played a role in revving up the European Union’s institutions to face the task at hand. The EU has presented initiatives such as a 150 billion euro fund from which member states can borrow to spend on collective European defense and a loosening of EU debt rules to allow member states to borrow more to spend on military production.
However, these measures are not expected to be used by France itself due to concerns about the country’s already huge debt burden and Macron’s domestic struggles. Instead, at least 20 EU countries are likely to use them.
**Time is Running Out**
To deliver on a flurry of promises made to Ukraine and other European states and revolutionize European defense before the country’s 2027 presidential election, Macron would need to find more money and more will to do so. Time is running out for Europe to become independent from the US in terms of defense.