Europe is mortal. Our values ​​are under threat. Russia must not win

Macron gave a keynote speech. He spoke for two hours - here's a brief summary

There is unity in Europe. We have freed ourselves from dependence on Russian hydrocarbons and have stood together in support of Ukraine since the first day of aggression. Europe has become one. Ukraine and Moldova are part of our family and they, like the Western Balkans, will join the EU when the time comes.

We have reacted quickly to crises, but is it enough? Our Europe today is mortal. Our values ​​are under threat. And we are not sufficiently protected from the risks that threaten us, because we react so slowly.

We need reliable protection. NATO is important, but we need a European defense system. Russia must not win the war - this is a condition of our security. There should be no limits to helping Ukraine.

Our economic model is no longer sustainable. We want to have everything, but that is not consistent with reality. China and the US have stopped following trade rules. We should not try to have a more naive trade policy than they do.

Let's make Europe a world leader in five key sectors by 2030: artificial intelligence, quantum computing, space, energy and agriculture.

Our democracy is increasingly being criticized through propaganda. And we allow it. Europe may die if we do not respond to the challenges of the times and the acceleration of history. Being European is not just living in Europe, it is defending an idea that puts the individual above all else. This is the humanism that distinguishes us from others. But we must not be naive.

This is a rough summary of French President Emmanuel Macron's speech at the Sorbonne on his vision for the future of Europe. The politician's remarks have been heavily edited for readability, but their meaning has been fully preserved.

Cover photo: Christophe Petit Tesson / AFP / Scanpix / LETA