France's Role Within NATO: Realism Through New Relations With Russia – Franco-Russian Relations: A Significant Element

Abstract

NATO is “brain dead.” With these statements, President Macron shocked most of the member states of the Atlantic alliance. But wouldn't this observation be tinged with realism with the announced withdrawal of the United States from this alliance? The recent attempt at rapprochement between the French President and Vladimir Putin confirms the change of the French paradigm and the will of its president to “move the lines.” Russia's annexation of Crimea and NATO's potential extension to Ukraine have only strained NATO-Russia relations further. This chapter will analyze France's role within NATO since its creation, Franco-Russian relations since the tenure of General de Gaulle in 1958, and the arrival of Emmanuel Macron in 2017. It will put reintegration into perspective of France in the integrated command of NATO, and its two-headed attitude, namely the transatlantic rapprochement but also a realistic observation on the usefulness and the current role of NATO. Will France have an important role to play in the future of NATO?