The Kyiv Independent
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Macron on Europe's defense: 'We are not equipped to face the risks'.
French President Emmanuel Macron on April 25 urged other European Union states to strengthen their defenses and to reconsider their role on the global stage.
"There is a risk our Europe could die. We are not equipped to face the risks," Macron said during a speech at the Sorbonne University in Paris.
Macron stressed that Europe now "lacks ambition" and operates "too slowly" in a fast-changing world full of challenges such as war, increasing trade competition, and energy scarcity, among others.
Europe is now "divided," he said, and needs to become a superpower that can defend its borders with less reliance on the United States.
The EU must become capable of defending its interests "alone if it is necessary," and be ready to prove that it is "never a vassal of the U.S.," he said.
Europe is between war and peace, Macron said, reminding his audience that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has entered its third year.
"Our ability to ensure our security is at stake," Macron added. "Russia must not be allowed to win."
Macron also called on EU states to boost European cybersecurity capacity, close defense ties with the U.K., establish a European academy to train high-ranking military personnel, and ramp up European defense production.
"We must produce more, we must produce faster, and we must produce as Europeans," Macron said.
Macron in recent months has become outspoken on European defense issues, championing increases in defense production and military aid to Ukraine.
In March, Macron called Russia's invasion of Ukraine "existential" for France and Europe. Later, Macron said he would not rule out the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine.
Military intelligence confirms car bomb attack killing Russian organizer of torture chambers in Berdiansk.
Russian officials, their proxies, and collaborators have been routinely targeted in both occupied parts of Ukraine and inside Russia.
Russian glide bomb attack injures 10 in downtown Kharkiv.
Russian forces hit two sites in the residential area of Kharkiv as Ukraine marked Orthodox Easter.
Energy Minister: Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure cause over $1 billion in damage.
The most damage was caused by the attacks on electricity transmission facilities, as well as thermal and hydro generation ones, according to Herman Halushchenko.
Russian drone attack on Donetsk Oblast village injures 3 people.
Russian forces attacked the village of Mykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast's Pokrovsk district on May 5, injuring three people, the regional prosecutor's office reported.
Die Zeit: Data on Bundeswehr meetings were available online until May 3.
Data on over 6,000 meetings held by Germany's Budeswehr were leaked and available online until May 3, according to the German media outlet Die Zeit.
Trump attorneys attempt to cast doubt on phone evidence in hush money trial.
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Longtime Trump aide Hope Hicks called to witness stand.
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UW-Madison community members react to clearing of campus encampment.
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Vote 2024: Sky News General Election projection
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Strategists on possible Trump running mates, Kamala Harris' role on campaign trail.
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