Emmanuel Macron on Monday called Donald Trump’s return to power “an opportunity for a European strategic awakening” and urged Europe to spend more resources on defence.

Macron has repeatedly pushed for the creation of a European army, especially after Britain left the European Union.

“What will we do tomorrow in Europe if our American ally withdraws its warships? from the Mediterranean? If they send their fighters from the Atlantic to the Pacific?’ he wondered in his New Year’s message to the French armed forces.

The president of France said that it is important to give Ukraine “the means to endure, and to enter into any future negotiations from a position of strength”.

Macron has warned that Russia’s war in Ukraine will not end “tomorrow or the day after tomorrow”, after Trump pledged to end the conflict quickly. Trump has not explained how he plans to end the conflict. “Let’s not fool ourselves,” Macron said. “There can be no peace and security in Europe without the Europeans”.

After the war, the challenge will be “to give Ukraine guarantees against any return to war on its territory and guarantees for our own security.”

Macron argued that France has “the most effective army in Europe” and met NATO’s target of 2% of GDP in defense spending. But he stressed that he could not rest on his laurels when the US may withdraw troops from Europe, adding that the 2% target may not be sufficient.

“When we say ‘let’s spend more on our militaries,’ in many countries it means, very often, buying more American hardware.” he stated.

It is noted that the French president was not Trump’s guest at his inauguration, as was Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Instead, the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was invited.