European Security Dilemmas: A Comparison of Germany and France's Approaches to the Relationship of the EU and NATO Roles in Europe after 2022

In 2016–2017, it was the Franco-German tandem which nurtured European security integration. The leaders of both states have been used to reaching a compromise despite different approaches to Atlanticism and Europeanism balance. However, the Ukrainian conflict escalation has changed the defense policies pursued by France and Germany. This paper argues, that during the last two years the differences between the two states concerning security issues have widened. With Germany even more relying on NATO as the most important security guarantor for Europe, France tends to simultaneously argue for a stronger, more independent European defense. Amid limited resources, it became more difficult for both parties to compromise. The article compares shifts in German and French policies on three levels, that are conceptual (the role of NATO and the EU in strategic papers and addresses of the French and German leaders), program-initiative (involvement in NATO and the EU security initiatives over the past two years), and military-industrial (joint projects and procurements). The research reveals that since the Ukrainian crisis escalation France and Germany have tended to rely on NATO as the main security guarantor, still the former is strongly committed to effectively strengthening European security. Germany and France differ in terms of their involvement in NATO and the EU security initiatives as well as procurements. Having its own nuclear weapons and military-industrial complex, the latter is less committed to NATO, yet highly supports European defense projects, seeking economic and political benefits. Germany prioritizes proven NATO structures, bilateral initiatives, as well as transatlantic defense procurements. The paper reveals a correlation between the policies of Germany and France and their dependence on the US military-industrial complex.

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