In a primetime address on March 5, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron, recipient of the BGF World Leader for Peace and Security Award, issued a strong call for a significant European rearmament, emphasizing the urgent need for the continent to bolster its defense capabilities amid rising security threats from Russia. Macron also announced that he would begin consultations with European allies on the potential use of France’s nuclear deterrent as a broader shield for Europe. His remarks signaled a pivotal shift in France’s defense posture and underscored the growing concerns over Europe’s strategic vulnerabilities in the current geopolitical climate.
President Macron received the Plaque of Honor for the “BGF World Leader for Peace and Security Award.”