Comment by Aloisius

They are a third party. The EU isn't a country, it's an association and it's clear that solitary between member countries only goes so far.

We saw what happened when France triggered the mutual defense clause in the EU charter after the terrorist attacked. Even when they all but begged other EU states to help them, they were rebuffed.

There's little reason to believe France would behave any differently if the roles had been reversed in the especially if there was any real risk to themselves if they got involved.