Macron called Putin, Trump, and Xi opponents of Europe

On April 25, 2026, in Athens, during a meeting with the Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, French President Emmanuel Macron sharply outlined whom he considers to be Europe’s political opponents. It was there that he equated Putin, Donald Trump, and Xi Jinping, stating that all three are currently acting against European interests. These words were not a random comment in passing but came at a time when Europe is increasingly discussing its own security, defense, and dependence on external power centers.

According to media reports, Macron called the current stage a “unique moment” and a “European moment,” when Europe must act more decisively and rely primarily on itself. For the Israeli audience, this is an important signal: it is no longer just a dispute within the EU but an attempt by France to redefine Europe’s place in a world where pressure comes simultaneously from Moscow, Washington, and Beijing.

At the same time, Macron did not say that the US has ceased to be an ally of Europe.

On the contrary, he specifically emphasized that the United States remains an ally, but American policy has become noticeably less predictable. It is this combination that makes his wording so sharp: the formal alliance remains, but strategic trust no longer seems the same.

Why Athens and why now

The fact that this phrase was uttered in Athens is also symbolic.

On the same day, Macron and Mitsotakis talked about EU defense, Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union, and that strengthening European defense should complement NATO, not replace it. In other words, the statement about Putin, Trump, and Xi was embedded in a broader conversation about how Europe can survive in the new reality.

With Putin, everything is clear for Europe: Russia is waging war against Ukraine and remains a direct military threat on the continent. With Xi Jinping, Paris associates the topic of strategic rivalry, dependence on technology, and long-term pressure on European autonomy. As for Trump, European concern is caused by his statements about NATO, threats of the US leaving the alliance, and the general style of politics in which the interests of allies become secondary to the internal political logic of Washington.

What Macron is essentially proposing to Europe

Macron’s main idea is that Europe can no longer live in a mode of strategic inertia. If the world’s largest players, for various reasons, act against European interests, then the EU must quickly strengthen its own defense, political subjectivity, and ability to make decisions without constantly looking over its shoulder at others.

This is the very “European moment” he spoke about in Athens on April 25.

In practice, this means further discussions about European defense autonomy. On the same day, Macron emphasized that Article 42.7 on mutual assistance within the EU is unequivocal, and strengthening the European military component should make Europe more serious and resilient within the Western alliance. This is an important nuance: Paris is not proposing to break ties with the US but demands that Europe stop being politically dependent and strategically infantile.

It is in this context that NANews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency views Macron’s statement as much more important than just a sharp quote of the day. It is not an emotional outburst but a sign that one of Europe’s leading countries is openly saying: the old system of guarantees is no longer perceived as reliable, and therefore, Europe will have to act more firmly and independently.

Why this is important for Israel

For Israel, this story is important because a more independent Europe will more actively look at the Middle East through its own security, energy, and maritime logistics interests. This concerns Iran, the Eastern Mediterranean, trade routes, and the overall architecture of Europe’s relations with allies in the region. The stronger Paris, Berlin, and Brussels speak the language of strategic autonomy, the more noticeable it will affect the Israeli-European dialogue.

Therefore, the date and place are crucial here. April 25, 2026, Athens — it was there that Macron publicly formulated the idea that Europe has entered a period where it has to simultaneously defend against Russian aggression, consider Chinese pressure, and doubt the full reliability of the American line. And if this assessment takes hold, the EU will indeed enter a new, much tougher political stage.