GETTY France hoping to bring forward creation of EU army after Trump NATO comments

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French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve insisted there is greater need for an EU defence system, because the President-elect called NATO “obsolete.” As he continues to show apparent support for President Vladimir Putin, the billionaire businessman raised doubts the US, under his leadership, would come to the rescue of its NATO allies in Europe if Russia were to attack them.

GETTY Francois Hollande is among the leaders in the European Union to support joint defence

In an interview with German and British press, Mr Trump said: “Number one, it [NATO] was obsolete because it was designed many, many years ago. Number two, the countries aren’t paying what they’re supposed to pay. “It’s obsolete because it wasn’t taking care of terror [sic].” Despite nations being aligned with Washington through NATO - the tide seems to be turning - and Europe looking out for it’s own interests. Mr Trump’s comments came after German chancellor Anglea Merkel insisted the fate of Europe was “in our own hands”. Mr Cazeneuve insisted on the establishment of a European defence system to replace Washington’s security dependency, which has reigned in Europe for seven decades.

GETTY Donald Trump upset EU leaders when he said the US may not help against Russia

At the National Assembly in Paris, he said: “We need European defense, with European means, with European investments, with a European projection capacity that will make the EU, the peoples and the nations that make it up, independent.” Mr Cazeneuve insisted European “principles, its values, and its identity” can be reaffirmed with independence from Washington. His sentiments have been echoed elsewhere in France.

Earlier this week, French President Francois Hollande said the EU “has no need for outside advice to tell it what it has to do.” On Monday he said: “I say it here, Europe will always be willing to pursue transatlantic cooperation, but it will determine its path on the basis of its own interests and values.” A European Army has been on the cards for a long time as ministers across the bloc insist they need to protect their interests as a group. In November 2016 a resolution was passed to create such a union.

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GETTY EU army would be kept in Brussels if it gets backing by leaders like Hollande