NEW YORK, March 7. /TASS/. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), expressed regret over the decline of norms after French President Emmanuel Macron recently proposed the idea of extending France’s protection of its nuclear arsenal to allies.
"A few years ago this discussion about nuclear weapons would have been taboo," Grossi told Bloomberg in an interview. "But now these conversations are taking place in some countries. It’s a constant erosion of norms," he lamented.
In an address to the nation earlier this week, Macron said that he would begin discussions with allies about bringing the European countries under protection of the French nuclear deterrent forces on request from incoming German chancellor Friedrich Merz. He also spoke about growing threats to Europe and the republic, including allegedly from Russia.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin suggested that, in an attempt to retain power, Macron and other European leaders have been creating problems for the European Union itself under the pretext of security provision.