Relations with the United States: We can no longer have the same level of trust, says the chief of staff

The highest French ranking officer acknowledges the traditional European ally’s disengagement with its European partners, praising France’s “recognized leadership” to take over.

“The observation made by many of my European partners is that we can no longer have the same level of confidence in the Americans’ commitment to our security.” During a hearing at the National Assembly on Thursday, April 9th, General Fabien Mandon mentioned the growing distance between the United States and its old European allies.

France and its “culture of sovereignty”

“They have had a historic role since the end of the Second World War. Many countries that do not have France’s culture of sovereignty had become accustomed to relying on American assistance, whether through the acquisition of equipment or the contribution of critical capabilities to the continent by the Americans. Today, we can no longer have that same level of trust,” stated the chief of the French armed forces.

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New alliances

Given this new situation, General Mandon praised the position of the French military in the continental landscape.

“The Europeans, at the military level, are meeting more and more and taking action. France has a recognized leadership, through its culture, seriousness, credibility in the commitment of its forces,” he assured. The senior officer mentioned Paris’s role in the “volunteer coalition” for Ukraine conducted in conjunction with Great Britain, as well as recent efforts with 35 countries to plan the resumption of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

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