French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a lengthy address that focused primarily on perceived Russian threats, using these concerns as leverage to advocate for increased defense spending. His speech included claims about Russia building 4,000 tanks by 2030, a figure many analysts consider unrealistic given Russia's current production capacity of only 100-200 tanks annually.

Macron stated that France needs more weapons while simultaneously claiming the French army is already the most effective in Europe. This apparent contradiction has raised questions about his military priorities, especially as his speech lacked specific commitments to strengthen French armed forces beyond weapons procurement.

Regarding Ukraine, Macron reiterated his position against a ceasefire, insisting the conflict should continue until Russia is "pacified." However, he failed to accompany these strong words with substantial aid announcements, avoiding commitments like "providing Ukraine with €5 billion worth of weapons from French army stockpiles."

Before his speech, Macron had independently proposed a ceasefire plan that would halt deep strikes into Russian territory. This proposal was rejected even by the United Kingdom, reflecting Macron's diminishing influence on the international stage regarding Ukraine policy.

Reports suggest that behind closed doors, Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have been urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept former President Trump's demands and sign a resource deal. This contradicts Macron's public stance and reveals the gap between his rhetoric and actual diplomatic efforts.

France has contributed only €4.8 billion to Ukraine's defense, less than Poland, Sweden, and Denmark. This limited financial commitment stands in stark contrast to the United States' much larger investment, which ranges from:

• €114 billion according to the Kiel Institute
• €350 billion according to former President Trump's claims

The timing of Macron's address was potentially optimal for announcing increased support for Ukraine, especially given the pause in U.S. weapons deliveries. His failure to make such commitments suggests France will likely not significantly increase its support for Ukraine in the future, regardless of public statements.

Macron's speech comes as financial markets signal a potential shift in Russia policy. Major US banks Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan have recently begun offering ruble-linked derivatives to Western investors, contributing to the Russian currency's 20% surge this year, the highest among global currencies.