President Emmanuel Macron has been asserting France’s willingness to play a more active role in European security, indicating readiness to involve the country’s nuclear arsenal as part of a broader strategy for the defense of Europe.

P ARIS—French President Emmanuel Macron is rekindling debate over whether France’s nuclear arsenal should play a role in deterring attacks against European allies, igniting criticism across the political spectrum from lawmakers who say any move to extend the country’s nuclear umbrella risks compromising a linchpin of national sovereignty.

France's nuclear weapons should be part of the European defence debate, French President Emmanuel Macron told a group of regional newspapers on Sunday, in comments that drew fire from his political opponents ahead of EU elections in June.

French president said a ‘credible European defence’ should go beyond the protection already offered by the US-led Nato alliance

French President Emmanuel Macron raised the stakes in his call for a credible European defense by adding nuclear weapons to the discussion.Most Read from BloombergMusk Makes Surprise China Visit in Search of Tesla Revenue BoostElliott Said to Have Built ‘Large’ Stake in Buffett-Favored SumitomoBHP’s $39 Billion Copper Play Was Years in the MakingBlade to Offer Luxury Bus Service to Hamptons at Fare Up to $275Trump’s Economic Confidants Battle for Sway on Tax,