French president outlined his vision for Europe as an assertive global power amid war in Ukraine

BARBARA SURK and SYLVIE CORBET
Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron is warning that Europe could die if it fails to build its own robust defense as Russia’s war in Ukraine rages on, or if it fails to undertake massive trade and economic reforms to compete with China and the U.S. Macron is urging Europeans to become more ambitious in a fast-changing world to face the challenges of war, fierce trade competition, energy scarcity, climate change and increasing authoritarianism. In a nearly two-hour speech, Macron said the Continent is divided and “too slow and lacks ambition.” He says the 27-member European Union needs to become a superpower, defend its own borders and speak with one voice if it wants to survive and thrive.