QuoteFrance is Russia's "First Enemy in Europe", Warns Military Chief in Rare Briefing
General Thierry Burkhard warns of a "lasting, close and dimensional threat" as France prepares to counter hybrid warfare theatres, with President Macron set to outline next defence steps
Russia now sees France as its principal enemy in Europe.
That is the assessment of General Thierry Burkhard, Chief of staff of the French Armed Forces, who this Friday 11 July 2025 gave an unusually candid press briefing outlining the evolving threats facing the country.
His intervention comes more than three years into the war in Ukraine and at a time when, in his view, the international order is deeply and durably disrupted.
"We should not expect a return to a visible horizon," said the general, noting that the changes underway are not temporary but structural. The press conference was called only a few days in advance, at the highest levels of government. Burkhard's mission was to prepare public understanding ahead of President Emmanuel Macron's televised address on Sunday, which is expected to set out the security priorities and commitments France will need to make in the years ahead.
"Russia has designated France as its first adversary in Europe," Burkhard said. He described a hybrid war being conducted by Moscow against the West, involving "disinformation and cyber attacks, actions in space and under the sea".
He continued by highlighting that , "Russia is a nuclear and conventional military power" that has "all the attributes of a totalitarian state: a centralized decision-making capacity, a conditioning of the population."
For France and Europe more broadly, this constitutes "a long-lasting, close and dimensional threat", which, according to Burkhard, "will constitute a real threat to our borders" by 2030.
He summarised what he sees as Vladimir Putin's strategic objective: "to weaken Europe and dismantle NATO." However, he held back on commenting regarding whether France may need to engage militarily in Europe in the near future.
"The war is already here in Europe," he stated simply.
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The DLC are not included, however.
Quote from: Sophie Scholl on July 11, 2025, 10:00:12 AMI've only seen good reviews. Huh.
Quote from: Syt on July 10, 2025, 11:02:10 PMSo, what can be done to make this stuff stop?
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