French President Emmanuel Macron called on Europe Monday to "wake up" and spend more on defense in order to reduce its reliance on the United States for its security, in a speech to the French military as Donald Trump returns to power.

The French President called on Europe to spend more on defence to reduce their reliance on the United States for security.

As Donald Trump returns to the White House on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron is positioning himself as a crucial bridge between Europe and an administration that shows early signs of seeking to divide its traditional allies.

Emmanuel Macron gave a speech to the French armed forces in the face of an 'acceleration' of threats which, in his view, requires Europe to 'spend more on defense.'

Donald Trump has criticised the cost of US military assistance to Ukraine and aims to transfer a greater share of responsibility to Europe. View on euronews

French president Emmanuel Macron has called on Europe to “wake up” and spend more on defence, in a speech to the French military as Donald Trump returns to power. Mr Macron referred to expected changes in Washington’s foreign policies especially regarding the war in Ukraine and said this is an “opportunity for a European strategic wake-up call”.