VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The idea of French President Emmanuel Macron to form a joint European army continues to roll. Unlike US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed support for Emanuel Macron's idea. Since becoming President of France last year, Macron continues to push for his idea to form a joint European army. Macron based his argument that Europe must protect itself from China, Russia and the United States. Trump declared the statement, made to reporters a few days ago, an insult. However, this provocative statement was welcomed by Vladimir Putin. From Moscow, Putin expressed full support for the idea of French President Emmanuel Macron. According to Vladimir Putin, Macron’s idea is a positive development at multilateral level. Putin argued, Europe has the right to be sovereign and independent in the security sector. From his statement, Putin gave a signal that Europe would reduce its dependence on the United States, that is,  its subsidy to NATO. The controversy between Putin and Trump has therefore become a new issue that might lead to a new discourse on the existence of NATO. From the United States side, actually Macron and Putin's statement cold be considered as a counterattack to Trump. Some time ago Donald Trump  stated that he would quit the nuclear weapons limitation agreement-INF which was formed in 1980. Trump's statement raises concerns over the condition of European security. Whether the idea of Emmanuel Macron will be realized soon, the multilateral dynamics and the opinions of European leaders are yet to be seen.  France still has to wait for a response from others. Of the many European leaders, the new Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, has showed positive response. Although Macron's ideas may still require struggle and time to be realized, the idea of the young president has at least influenced relations between Europe, Russia and  the United States. The formation of a joint European army will be an alternative defense outside NATO.