Macron Urges Europe to Develop its Own Air Defense Systems and Not Rely on the US

French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledges the audience during the conference on European air and missile defense, attended by EU defense ministers on the sidelines of the International Paris Air Show, at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, June 19, 2023. (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledges the audience during the conference on European air and missile defense, attended by EU defense ministers on the sidelines of the International Paris Air Show, at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, June 19, 2023. (AFP)
TT

Macron Urges Europe to Develop its Own Air Defense Systems and Not Rely on the US

French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledges the audience during the conference on European air and missile defense, attended by EU defense ministers on the sidelines of the International Paris Air Show, at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, June 19, 2023. (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledges the audience during the conference on European air and missile defense, attended by EU defense ministers on the sidelines of the International Paris Air Show, at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, June 19, 2023. (AFP)

French President Emmanuel Macron called on European nations Monday to seek more independence on airspace defense and advocated against relying too much on the US, a long-divisive issue that takes on new urgency because of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Macron made his case for Europeans building their own airspace protection strategy in the closing speech of a conference in Paris gathering defense ministers and other representatives of 20 European countries.

The talks included anti-drone combat and ballistic missile defense, French organizers said, noting that Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has shown the importance and effectiveness of such equipment. Nuclear weapons deterrence was also on the agenda.

"We need to know what the threat situation is ... And then, what are we, Europeans, able to produce? And what do we then need to buy?" Macron said.

He warned against purchasing immediately "what’s on the shelves."

Among nations who took part in the meeting were Germany, the UK and Sweden as well as Ukraine's neighbors Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. Representatives of NATO and the European Union also attended.

Macron pushed for European defense equipment manufacturers to build independent military systems and relocate production on the continent. He also called for enhanced European standards.

"Why do we still need to buy American too often? Because Americans have standardized much more than we have, and they themselves have federal agencies that provide massive subsidies to their manufacturers," he said.

The one-day meeting took place on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show, the world's largest event focusing on aviation and space industry that opened Monday.

France has been openly critical of German-led plans for improved European air defense capabilities. The so-called European Sky Shield project, launched at the end of last year, is made up of 17 European nations including the UK — but not France. It's meant to be integrated within NATO air and missile defense systems.

The French government believes the project doesn't adequately preserve European sovereignty, because it's expected to be largely based on US and Israeli industry. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius attended the Paris meeting.

"With the European Sky Shield Initiative, we are bringing together European states to jointly increase protection against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at a news conference earlier Monday in Berlin with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

The German-led plan is expected to feature the Israeli Arrow 3 system and build on existing US Patriot missile capabilities.

Scholz made no reference to Paris' objections to the initiative.

Defense has been a recurrent bone of contention between the two countries, with France complaining that Germany wasn’t doing enough in the area for years — until the war in Ukraine led Berlin to announce a major boost to military spending.

Macron said Monday that the Mamba anti-missile system developed together by France and Italy "is now deployed and operational in Ukraine, protecting key installations and lives." The delivery of the system to Kiev was announced by Paris and Rome in February.

"It really is Europe protecting Europe," Macron said.

The Mamba system is part of NATO’s integrated air and missile defense.

With the help of Western weapons and growing experience, Ukraine’s air defense systems have made great strides since the war started last year, saving infrastructure and lives and preventing Russia from achieving air superiority.



South Korea’s Yoon Faces New Arrest Attempt in Fortified Compound

A general view shows the presidential residence of impeached South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on January 8, 2025. (AFP)
A general view shows the presidential residence of impeached South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on January 8, 2025. (AFP)
TT

South Korea’s Yoon Faces New Arrest Attempt in Fortified Compound

A general view shows the presidential residence of impeached South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on January 8, 2025. (AFP)
A general view shows the presidential residence of impeached South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on January 8, 2025. (AFP)

South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol faces a new and potentially more robust attempt to arrest him for insurrection after a top investigator vowed to do whatever it takes to break a security blockade and take in the impeached leader.

Acting president Choi Sang-mok urged on Wednesday authorities to "do their best to prevent any injuries to citizens or physical conflict between government agencies" while executing Yoon's arrest warrant.

Protesters supporting and opposing the embattled Yoon braved freezing temperatures to stage rallies on the streets around the presidential compound on Wednesday after a court re-issued a warrant on Tuesday to arrest him.

The Presidential Security Service (PSS) has been fortifying the compound this week with barbed wire and barricades using buses to block access to the residence, a hillside villa in an upscale district known as Korea's Beverly Hills.

Yoon is under criminal investigation for insurrection over his failed attempt to impose martial law on Dec. 3, a decision that stunned South Korea and prompted the first arrest warrant for a sitting president.

He also faces an impeachment trial in the Constitutional Court.

One of Yoon's lawyers said the president could not accept the execution of the arrest warrant because it was issued by a court in the wrong jurisdiction and the team of investigators formed to probe the incumbent leader had no mandate to do so.

Yoon Kab-keun, the lawyer, also denied suggestions by some members of parliament that Yoon had fled the official residence, saying he had met the president there on Tuesday. He said they were "malicious rumors" intended to slander Yoon.

On Tuesday, Oh Dong-woon, head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), which is leading the investigation, apologized for failing to arrest the president last week after a six-hour standoff with hundreds of PSS agents, some of whom were carrying firearms, and military guards at the compound.

"We'll do our best to accomplish our goal by thoroughly preparing this time with great determination that the second warrant execution will be the last," Oh told a parliament committee.

He declined to specify how many days the court had given before the new arrest warrant expired.

Oh did not object when members of parliament called for tough action to overpower the presidential guards and military troops inside the compound, but he declined to discuss what options were being considered to achieve that.

Various scenarios reported in local media included mobilizing police special tactical units and heavy equipment to push through the barricades, followed by more than 2,000 police to drag out presidential guards, taking as long as three days if necessary to wear down presidential security agents.

Shin Yul, a Myongji University professor who has followed the political turmoil, said police had lots of experience with the tactical operations that were likely being considered. But safety should be a top priority, especially for protesters, he said, noting the risk of gunfire in a potential clash.

Although police have a clear advantage in terms of resources such as helicopters to drop in tactical units, force should not be the only option considered, said Lee Yung-hyeock, a Konkuk University professor specializing in law enforcement.

He cited "cognitive warfare" such as using loudspeakers to persuade PSS agents they could face personal repercussions by obstructing justice that could mean the end of their careers and possible criminal records.