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Russia seen as a long-term threat by France’s top military officer

Friday 11 July 2025 - 14:55

Russia poses a lasting threat to European security, according to General Thierry Burkhard, France’s Chief of Defense Staff. Speaking at a rare press conference in Paris on July 11, 2025, Burkhard warned that Moscow, which has labeled France its main adversary in Europe, remains a central concern for France’s defense strategy.

The general painted a grim picture of the current global security environment, marked by overlapping crises and increasing instability. He emphasized that the world has shifted into a new strategic reality, one that demands preparedness rather than a return to past assumptions of international order.

Strategic Shift and National Resilience

“We are facing a complete shift in the strategic paradigm,” Burkhard stated. “We must prepare to manage the world as it is, not as we would like it to be.” He underscored the need for national cohesion as a cornerstone of resilience, noting how crises are increasingly used to undermine unity within nations.

The general’s remarks come just days before President Emmanuel Macron is expected to unveil significant new defense measures. The Élysée has announced that the upcoming speech will include “major announcements” related to national security and military preparedness.

Rising Defense Budget Amid Economic Constraints

While France’s public finances remain under pressure, the current defense law allocates €413 billion between 2024 and 2030, with an annual increase of €3 billion. However, Burkhard hinted that this may not be enough, stressing that demonstrating France’s military readiness is vital to deterring major conflict—even if it comes at a financial cost.

France is already confronting a range of threats, including terrorism, cyberattacks, misinformation campaigns, the exploitation of illegal migration, and the breakdown of international norms. A new national strategic review is expected to be released shortly, further outlining these challenges.

Russia: A Persistent and Multifaceted Threat

Among all the threats, Burkhard described Russia as the most significant. He accused Moscow of embodying the characteristics of a totalitarian state and acting as a “nuisance power” through a range of hostile activities—sabotaging underwater infrastructure, conducting espionage, spreading disinformation in Europe and Africa, and deploying aggressive behavior in space.

Despite substantial losses in Ukraine, Burkhard believes Russia will re-emerge as a serious military threat by 2030. “In Ukraine, not only is the security of Europe at stake, but also the future global standing of European nations,” he said.

A European Response with Atlantic Ties

The general called for a unified European response to Russia, while acknowledging the need to maintain strong ties with the United States. As Washington is expected to gradually reduce its involvement in European defense matters, the burden will increasingly fall on European allies.

France and the UK are leading a “coalition of volunteers,” aiming to prevent the resurgence of hostilities in Ukraine following any potential ceasefire. According to Burkhard, this initiative sends a strong signal of European resolve.

Russia’s identification of France as its primary European rival—an assertion reportedly made by President Vladimir Putin—further complicates matters. While France, as a nuclear power, is unlikely to face a direct large-scale attack, Burkhard warned that hybrid tactics remain a serious concern.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister François Bayrou highlighted that France is the most targeted European country—after Ukraine—by foreign manipulation efforts, particularly from Russia.