Dhaka, July 14 -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday pledged an additional €6.5 billion ($7.6 billion) in military spending over the next two years, citing growing and unprecedented threats ranging from Russia and nuclear proliferation to terrorism and cyberattacks.

In a wide-ranging speech delivered on the eve of France's Bastille Day celebrations, Macron called for a stronger European defense posture and reaffirmed support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's full-scale invasion. He said France aims to increase annual defense spending to €64 billion ($74.8 billion) by 2027 - the final year of his second term - up from €32 billion when he first took office in 2017.

"Since 1945, freedom has never been so serious...