French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled plans for the biggest increase in defense spending, warning that Europe's freedom is facing what he said is the biggest threat since the end of World War II.
In a speech to the armed forces in Paris, he stressed that "we are living in a decisive moment" due to complex geopolitics, the BBC reported.
Macron has called for France's defense spending to increase by another 3.5 billion euros next year and then by another 3 billion euros in 2027.
Referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he condemned what he called "imperialist policies" and "annexing powers."
The war in Ukraine has been raging since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Macron pledged to double France's military budget by 2027, three years earlier than originally planned.
Macron calls on Europe to behave like a global power
In 2017, France's defense budget was 32 billion euros and, according to plans, will increase to 64 billion euros within two years.
Macron's proposals must be approved by the French government.
