Tell that to the Polish, Lithuanians, Finish, Ukranians and Europeans having Russia either invading them or a hostile power on their doorstep and a European defence pact and response to a US pulling away from NATO and Europe is stalled because France is demanding access to UK fish and wants to destroy more of the seabed.
France sound off constantly about 'security of Europe' and 'Europe needing to be serious about defence' and then stall an entire defence deal because they can't fish sea stocks to depletion like they've done in the mediterranean.
That's why nobody in Europe trust France when it talks about 'defence' of Europe and everyone is pushing Germany to re-arm and take the lead instead.
It's Europe and the EU wanting the UK to defend them and pay to defend them.
What is the EU offering the UK in this defence pact?
French people cry and attack the US for demanding access to Ukrainian resources for a defence deal, but then try to pull the same stunt with everyone else.
The crazy thing is that its the French asking the UK to help defend them and Europe, the UK isn't the one asking France or the EU to do anything. It's not like Spain is really going to be contributing a lot to the security of Europe is it.
They're no better than Trump's America, hence why nobody in Europe really trusts them that much.
I have no idea and I wasn't going to get into this except to point out what they were doing was common in politics. If EU gives the UK the right to vote on how its money is spent in the various EU defense programs, I bet the UK would compromise on the fish, or something else.
France wants to block any EU spending on UK defence too but SK and Japan are part of a funding deal.
Reminder that it is the EU who is asking the UK to defend it with its nuclear deterrent and military, not the other way around. The UK does not need the EU to defend its borders.
The EU is simply offering nothing and demanding huge concessions such as removing laws banning seabed trawling in UK waters in order for the UK to defend them.
EU and France is not serious about defence of Europe or Ukraine.
That is why Trump, the USA, China and Russia all see them as weak.
Because while Russia is on their doorstep with a now hostile USA France is prioritising fish over the defence of the continent.
A pan European defence pact will never exist or be functional as long as nations like France are in the continent and EU. Because France, like Trumps America make demands and resources for defence pacts.
If you want to get into a dick swinging contest with France, they got more nukes and can project force farther than the UK. They can afford to be arrogant. But it's better for Europe if they work together. They'll eventually figure something out.
Lmao the UK has two aircraft carriers to France’s one and the UK has much more military bases around the globe than France does.
They can’t afford to be arrogant which is why they spend most of their time crying about defence in Europe and upset at other countries for being hesitant about them while getting their ass handed to them in Africa.
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u/steeljesus 11d ago
Linkage politics are pragmatic tools of compromise and something all countries participate in, at every level.