France must not be 'weak' against Russia 'threat': Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that France must maintain a strong posture against the perceived threat from Russia, cautioning against any sign of “weakness.” However, he simultaneously sought to reassure the nation that there are no plans to dispatch French youth to fight in the war in Ukraine.

Speaking in an interview with RTL radio, President Macron emphasised that national self-preservation hinges on firmness.

“We would be wrong to show weakness in the face of this threat,” the President stated. “If we want to protect ourselves, we French—which is my sole concern—we must demonstrate that we are not weak against the power that threatens us the most.”

New national service plan forthcoming

The President’s remarks come as he prepares to unveil details later this week on a new, voluntary form of national service, which would replace the compulsory service scrapped in 1997.

Macron confirmed to RTL that he would be announcing a “transformation of national service into a new form” on Thursday. While specifics remain scarce, a source familiar with the matter told AFP on condition of anonymity that the initial plan aims to train 2,000 to 3,000 individuals in the first year, with an eventual goal of scaling up to 50,000 participants annually.

Despite the focus on readiness, President Macron was quick to address concerns about a potential direct military involvement in Ukraine, a fear recently heightened by comments from a top general.

“It is absolutely necessary, at least immediately, to dispel any confused idea suggesting that we are going to send our young people to Ukraine,” he stressed.

He addressed recent alarm caused by a top general who warned that the country must be ready to “lose its children,” saying the comments had been “deformed” and “taken out of context.”

“Soldiers who sign up make sacrifices, but to tell all French people that they are going to be sacrificed, that makes no sense,” Macron clarified.

The President’s interview took place ahead of a scheduled video call with members of the “coalition of the willing,” a group of 30 nations supporting Kyiv. This coalition is reportedly preparing for potential post-ceasefire scenarios, with the goal of deploying a multinational force to deter any further Russian aggression following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.