France Identifies Russia as 'Greatest Threat'
According to the top defense official in Paris, Russia's actions currently pose the greatest threat to France. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Moscow has been increasingly “aggressive” on the world stage, Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu claimed.
According to Lecornu, Russia is currently France’s most significant adversary, as noted in a recent interview with Le Point magazine. The conversation, published on Wednesday in conjunction with the release of Lecornu’s new book, addressed the security challenges facing Paris today.
When asked which country or actor presented “the greatest threat to France,” Lecornu responded: “Apart from terrorist groups, clearly it is the Russian Federation.” He argued that Moscow has become “even more aggressive” this year compared to 2022 and 2023. He stressed that Russia poses a threat “not only to our interests in Africa, but also directly to our Armed Forces,” mentioning an incident where “the Russian air traffic control has threatened to shoot down a French Rafale patrol.”
Furthermore, Lecornu accused Russia of “waging an information war” and “militarizing new environments, including the seabed and cyberspace.”
Although specific incidents were not cited by the French defense chief, tensions have risen, with both Russia and NATO accusing each other of risky aerial behavior. In March, for instance, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that its jets had escorted two French Rafale warplanes flying over the Black Sea near the Russian border.
Moscow has consistently warned that France’s weapon deliveries to Ukraine would escalate tensions. In January, Russia summoned the French envoy regarding the presence of “French mercenaries” in Ukraine. Although the French government acknowledged its citizens' involvement in the conflict, it denied any role in facilitating their participation on the battlefield.
Regarding Paris’ adversarial position, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remarked in May that French President Emmanuel Macron was “breathing” Russophobia, asserting that the French leader was employing aggressive rhetoric to bolster his country’s standing on the international stage.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
According to Lecornu, Russia is currently France’s most significant adversary, as noted in a recent interview with Le Point magazine. The conversation, published on Wednesday in conjunction with the release of Lecornu’s new book, addressed the security challenges facing Paris today.
When asked which country or actor presented “the greatest threat to France,” Lecornu responded: “Apart from terrorist groups, clearly it is the Russian Federation.” He argued that Moscow has become “even more aggressive” this year compared to 2022 and 2023. He stressed that Russia poses a threat “not only to our interests in Africa, but also directly to our Armed Forces,” mentioning an incident where “the Russian air traffic control has threatened to shoot down a French Rafale patrol.”
Furthermore, Lecornu accused Russia of “waging an information war” and “militarizing new environments, including the seabed and cyberspace.”
Although specific incidents were not cited by the French defense chief, tensions have risen, with both Russia and NATO accusing each other of risky aerial behavior. In March, for instance, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that its jets had escorted two French Rafale warplanes flying over the Black Sea near the Russian border.
Moscow has consistently warned that France’s weapon deliveries to Ukraine would escalate tensions. In January, Russia summoned the French envoy regarding the presence of “French mercenaries” in Ukraine. Although the French government acknowledged its citizens' involvement in the conflict, it denied any role in facilitating their participation on the battlefield.
Regarding Paris’ adversarial position, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remarked in May that French President Emmanuel Macron was “breathing” Russophobia, asserting that the French leader was employing aggressive rhetoric to bolster his country’s standing on the international stage.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
