The Atlantic Alliance: the EU-NATO security framework For France, NATO forms the cornerstone of collective defence in Europe. Transatlantic ties and the unwavering solidarity between Allies are central to responding to the threats and challenges we face. Nonetheless, this solidarity is today experiencing a period of uncertainty not seen since the Cold War ended. Europe Defence and security OTAN Published on : July 09th 2026 Dans cette rubrique Priorities and action The Ministry in action Action for peace and respect for human rights Promoting a sovereign Europe Promoting French businesses and France’s attractiveness Ensuring the presence of French culture Contributing to sustainable, balanced globalization Major issues International Space Summit France's 2026 G7 Presidency France’s diplomatic action in Ukraine French humanitarian action in Palestine Expanding and developing the North Atlantic Alliance As recalled in the 2025 National Strategic Review, France fully acknowledges NATO’s role in the defence of Europe. In 2009, it returned to NATO’s Integrated Military Command, which it had left in 1966. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 led the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to break with the approach combining firmness and dialogue with Moscow: since 2022, NATO has designated Russia as the biggest and most direct threat to the security of the Allies. This new context led to Finland joining NATO in 2023, followed by Sweden in 2024; the Baltic Sea is now almost exclusively bordered by members of the Alliance. NATO’s presence has therefore been strengthened in the east of Europe, with in particular: the creation of four new multinational battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia; the decision to transform the battlegroups already deployed since 2017 in the Baltic States and in Poland into a brigade format. The Alliance also aims for the capacity to deploy 100,000 troops in 10 days, a further 200,000 in a month and 500,000 more in six months. France and NATO France’s role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) The posture of the United States within NATO The NATO Summit in the Hague on 24 and 25 June 2025 led to a new defence investment target: increase spending on defence and security to 5% of the annual GDP of the Allies by 2035, with at least 3.5% directly allocated to core defence needs and up to 1.5% to related spending (critical infrastructures, cyber security and resilience). This target was accepted by all of the Allies with the exception of Spain, which did not make an identical commitment in figures. This effort to rearm Europe takes place against a backdrop of the American military posture in Europe being progressively called into question. In the spring of 2026, the US administration announced the withdrawal of some 5,000 troops stationed in Germany, cancelled a planned deployment of several thousand additional troops in Poland and the Baltic States, and reduced by a third the US fighter jets present in Europe, and in addition reducing its contribution to the NATO Force Model. Nevertheless, on 17 June 2026, NATO’s Secretary General confirmed that the United States remained fully committed to the Alliance, with the capabilities in question being gradually taken over by European Allies. The Defence Europe initiatives, which are part of efforts to boost the single set of European forces, thereby help strengthen NATO, a complementarity which seems more necessary than ever in the current strategic context.