The French government is taking significant steps to address the security challenges arising from the situation in Ukraine. On Thursday, March 13, 2025, Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu convened with parliamentary leaders for closed-door meetings to discuss European security and the pressing challenges posed by Russia. This meeting forms part of the government's effort to clarify its stance on the conflict and align the political factions on their approach to Ukraine.
Staffing these discussions was Prime Minister François Bayrou and key military officials, who sought to underline the importance of forming consensus on pivotal issues such as nuclear deterrence. Both leaders aimed for the unity of the French government and parliament as they navigate the complex and often contentious territory of defense strategy amid rising hostility from Russia.
During this closed meeting, Lecornu and Bayrou emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting the notion of entering "a war economy," as articulated by President Emmanuel Macron on March 5. Macron's comments, defining Russia as "a threat to France and Europe," have caused ripples through the political milieu, drawing both support and criticism, as various parties expressed differing views on the appropriate response.
Particularly, the meeting on March 13 arrived on the heels of the French National Assembly's vote on March 12 to strengthen support for Ukraine. This resolution included significant proposals such as calls for seizing frozen Russian assets, which drew opposition from some governmental circles, arguing about the actions’ long-term ramifications.
"The idea was to recognize the gravity of the moment and the state of the threat posed by Russia, which seeks to rearm to pursue its expansion," relayed Cédric Perrin, the Senate's Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Armed Forces Committee chair, following the meeting. Perrin stressed the need for Europe to exhibit unity, stating, "A strong, united European Union must rearm to be sufficiently deterrent to calm Vladimir Putin." This sentiment echoes the overarching urgency felt by military and political leaders alike, knowing the historical weight of NATO’s mutual defense obligations, particularly Article 5 which maintains the principle of collective defense.
Several threats were explicitly outlined during the discussions, encompassing espionage, cyber attacks, and disinformation campaigns, with military officials highlighting at least seven areas of concern for France: attacks on French interests abroad, support for hostile regimes, militarization of space, and rising terrorism.
The discourse also illuminated the fragmentation with which parliamentary groups approach defense and security, with significant figures like Manon Aubry and Marion Maréchal expressing skepticism over government actions. Following the discussions, Aubry conveyed her apprehension, insisting, "There's a sense we're just meeting to meet; we need to organize the peace path rather than merely holding information sessions." Meanwhile, Maréchal characterized the outcome as primarily for show, aiming to project governmental resolve rather than yielding substantial progress.
Engagement from various political factions continues to be just as divided. On one side, support from most parties appears unanimous concerning aiding Ukraine; nonetheless, underlying disagreements on strategies indicate significant rifts, particularly contrasting the administration’s articulated positions. For some, Macron's description of Russia's threat seemed overly aggressive, drawing concerns about fostering escalated hostilities.
Despite these differences, Bayrou reaffirmed the growing necessity for national solidarity surrounding defense, encouraging all parliamentary leaders to advocate for military spending increases amid shifting global realities. "It is precisely this kind of national solidarity and political consensus we need during such demanding times," he asserted. His remarks sought to galvanize dialogue and action around military expenditures as France augments its defense budget to counteract the looming threats.
Amongst the attendees was Cyrielle Chatelain, the Green Party president at the National Assembly, who shared reservations on the clarity of the session’s outputs. She remarked, "While the discussions were interesting, the depth was rather general and did not provide us with comprehensive insights to guide our parliamentary positions."
The government has also received pushback concerning its strategy; there have been discussions surrounding past decisions deemed overly aligned with American strategy, raising questions about European sovereignty and independent policy-making.
Questions about how best to support Ukraine persist as leaders carefully navigate diplomatic pathways. Discussions about facilitating negotiations aimed at establishing ceasefires, alongside garnering solid security guarantees for Ukraine, harken back to the broader European consensus desired by French leaders.
After the high-level meeting, Macron gathered the Ministers of Armed Forces, Foreign Affairs, Europe, Finance, and Public Accounts on March 13, focusing on strengthening the nation’s defense. This came as France prepares to confront the financial realities associated with its military imperative amid widening fiscal constraints.
It remains to be seen how effectively the current French government can unify divergent political perspectives and respond to the overarching threat posed by Russia, but initial steps undertaken during these meetings indicate seriousness of intent amid considerably difficult circumstances.