The war between Russia and Ukraine gives the French president more reasons to justify this concept, which France has long advocated. The idea is no longer a taboo, and the momentum is well in favour of the French authorities.

For Macron’s government, Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and its aftermath has dramatically illustrated his point – showing the danger of a Europe unable to defend itself militarily, heavily dependent on Russian energy and overly sensitive to external economic shocks.

But even the former sceptics are now embracing Emmanuel Macron’s general programme to some extent.

War in Ukraine gives new impetus to Macron’s drive for EU autonomy