Authored by: Artsiom Sidarchuk (IFZO Fellow) and Pierre-Simon Picot (IFZO intern)
The Baltic Sea Region (BSR) was historically a low priority in French foreign policy until the Russian annexation of Crimea and invasion of Donbas in 2014. This event marked a strategic shift, prompting France to actively participate in NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence and air policing missions in the BSR. Balancing between Atlanticist commitments and a push for European Strategic Autonomy (ESA), France’s nuanced strategy reflects its dual approach to regional security. Despite its critical stance on NATO, France remains a key player in both NATO and European defense initiatives, highlighting the complex interplay between Europeanism and Atlanticism in its security policy.