Germany urges France to boost defense spending for European sovereignty, citing fiscal limits and NATO goals.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged France to increase defense spending to match its calls for European sovereignty, criticizing Paris for insufficient progress toward NATO’s 2035 goal of 5% of GDP on defense. He emphasized that national fiscal commitments, not shared EU debt like eurobonds, must drive military investment, citing Germany’s plan for over €500 billion in defense spending from 2025 to 2029. France faces tighter fiscal constraints due to high public debt, exceeding twice the EU’s 60% limit. Wadephul stressed that European security independence requires concrete national action, warning against undermining NATO’s U.S. nuclear umbrella. Tensions in the Franco-German alliance persist over defense projects, trade, and climate policies, with officials noting the partnership is currently dysfunctional.