Oleg Davygora00:39, 31.05.25

France has traditionally opposed NATO’s expansion into Asia and led a campaign to block the opening of an alliance office in Japan in 2023.

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned China that NATO could strengthen its presence in Asia if Beijing does not prevent North Korea from participating in Russia’s war against Ukraine, Politico reports  .

“North Korea’s presence in Ukraine is a serious issue for all of us. If China does not want to see NATO in Southeast Asia, it should not allow [North Korea’s] involvement on European soil,” he said at a defense summit in Singapore.

It is noted that France has traditionally opposed the expansion of NATO influence in Asia and led the campaign to block the opening of an alliance representative office in Japan in 2023.

“I then spoke out against NATO’s participation in Asian affairs because I do not believe that it is necessary to get involved in someone else’s strategic rivalry,” the president said, admitting that Paris might reconsider its position.

According to Macron, the North Korean military supports the Kremlin within the framework of a bilateral military agreement, and Moscow uses them in the battles for the Kursk region.

The French leader also warned against the risk of nuclear proliferation and the threat of the collapse of the global architecture created after World War II.

Confirming France’s traditional course, Macron called on Asian countries to become independent from both the US and China:

“France adheres to the principles of strategic autonomy and sovereignty. We defend this approach for both Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.”

(c)UNIAN 2025