Macron: Europe Must Stand Tall Amid Global Tensions

It's April 25th, from breaking headlines to national stories.

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French President Emmanuel Macron dropped a bombshell Friday, saying leaders like Donald

Trump, China's Xi Jinping, and Russia's Vladimir Putin, are pushing back hard against

Europe's interests.

He called it a critical turning point where these powers are clashing with the continent's

goals, urging the European Union to step up its game on the world stage.

This came up during Macron's talks with Greek Prime Minister Kiryako Mitsitakis, as

both leaders stressed the need for Europe to handle its own.

Defense without leaning too much on outsiders.

Macron's pushing his long-held idea of strategic independence, especially with Trump demanding

NATO allies ponia more cash for their own security.

Folks in Europe are feeling the heat from Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, China's growing

economic grip, and questions about America's reliability as an ally.

Even though Macron sees the US as a partner, he says it's not always steady, which has

leaders refinking old alliances amid rising global tensions.

Now Macron's on a two-day trip to Greece to beef up their defense ties, right as Iran's

conflicts cram shipping in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.

Greece, with its massive merchant fleet, host key EU naval ops there, and they're eyeing

a future multinational mission to secure the straight-of.

Hormuz, once things calm down.

All this signals Europe gearing up to stand taller, charting its own path through these

choppy international waters.