European security

‘EU cannot defend Europe – especially with Brexit’ Nato chief’s damning reply to Macron

The French leader drew the ire of his allies after saying the defence alliance was dying, citing a lack of coordination and decision-making between the US and its EU partners.

Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday that the military alliance was “strong and agile,” as he rebuked critical remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Mr Stoltenberg spoke to France’s Le Figaro newspaper and was asked whether he agreed with Mr Macron’s claim that the alliance was “brain-dead”.

He said: “Nato is strong and agile. It is vital for security questions.

Asked whether he agreed with Mr Macron’s claim that “Europe has the capacity to defend itself,” he said: “I strongly support European defence.

“But it must be the European pillar of Nato and not replace [Nato].

“Today, the European Union cannot defend Europe. Especially with Brexit: 80 percent of Nato’s defence spending will come from non-EU members.”

In an interview with The Economist earlier this month, Mr Macron warned his EU allies that Nato was dying, citing a lack of coordination between member states and US unpredictability under President Donald Trump.

Mr Macron warned: “What we are currently experiencing is the brain death of Nato,” adding that the US was showing signs of “turning its back on us”.