France will use interest from Russian assets to fund another 195 million euros ($211 million) in arms for Ukraine, Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu said a newspaper interview.

France plans to extend its nuclear deterrence to European allies, creating tension with Russia. President Macron's statements led to a strong reaction from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Lavrov accused France of nuclear blackmail and warned that Russia would consider this in its defense strategy.

Emmanuel Macron at a press conference at the end of the Extraordinary European Council, Brussels, March 6, 2025. LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP. As soon as the European Cou