Emmanuel Macron has announced additional military spending of € 6.5 billion for the next two years, warning that Europe is facing “unprecedented threats” from Russia, terrorism, cyberattacks and misinformation, while describing the United States.

At the same time, the French president called on a strategic dialogue on the role of French nuclear deterrent to European security, stressing that “in order to be free, they must be afraid of us”.

The French president presented his plans in an extensive speech, calling for intensifying efforts to protect Europe. France, he said, is to reach 64 billion euros per year in defense spending by 2027, the last year of his second term. This represents twice the budget compared to the € 32 billion spent by the country in 2017 when it took over the presidency.

“Since 1945, freedom has never been so seriously threatened,” Macron stressed in his established speech to the Armed Forces, on the eve of the National Feast of Bastille.

“In order to be free in this world, they must be afraid of us. And to be scared of us, we must be strong, “he said.

Macron insisted that France could find the resources needed to strengthen the army, even if it is trying to reduce its high public debt at the same time. Conservative and far -right parties support the increase in military spending, while the left parties accuse the government of sacrificing socially acquis in the name of defense.

Europe is in danger because of Russia’s war in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East, but also because “the United States adds an element of uncertainty,” said Emmanuel Macron.

At the same time, he referred to online misinformation campaigns by foreign governments – which he did not name – and propaganda attacks targeted by children, “in the screen”.

Macron also ordered the French military and defense officials to launch a “strategic dialogue” with European partners for the role that the French nuclear arsenal can play in Europe’s protection.

France and Britain have recently agreed to boost their cooperation on nuclear weapons issues.

The move reflects Macron’s ambition to boost France’s global power, and comes to a context that wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have drastically changed security in the West, leading many countries to review their chronic reluctance to invest in the armed forces.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Institute (SIPRI), defense spending increased last year at the fastest pace since the end of the Cold War. Overall Europe – including Russia – spent $ 693 billion on defense, increasing a 17% increase compared to the previous year.