French President Emmanuel Macron has called for Europe to stop relying on the US for its military defence as he pushed for fresh EU integration in the face of rising nationalism. The 40-year-old president said he would put forward new proposals for the EU to boost defence co-operation, as well as talks with Russia on their security relationship — an issue of concern for countries on Europe’s eastern edge. "Europe can no longer rely on the US for its security. It is up to us to guarantee European security," Macron told an audience of diplomats, MPs and international relations experts. His comments follow US President Donald Trump repeatedly distancing himself from the Nato military alliance, which groups the US with most of Europe and has underpinned European security since World War 2. Macron’s comments are likely to find support in EU powerhouse Germany after foreign minister Heiko Maas made a similar call for boosted military co-operation last week. Maas called for Europe to "take...

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