Macron urges enhanced strategies to draw young people to the armed forces
France must adjust to a “accumulation of threats,” such as the situation in Ukraine, according to the president. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled a plan to increase the number of young volunteers within the military amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. During a speech to armed forces on Monday, he emphasized that France must adapt to an “accumulation of threats.”
“Let us not kid ourselves, the conflict in Ukraine will not end tomorrow or the day after,” Macron asserted. This address coincided with Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president, a figure known for his campaign promises to swiftly resolve the fighting between Moscow and Kiev.
Macron stated that for France and other EU nations, “the challenge today is to give Ukraine the means to last and to enter any future negotiations from a position of strength.” He further elaborated, “The challenge tomorrow, when the hostilities stop, will be to give Ukraine guarantees against any return of war to its territory and assurances for our own security.”
He has tasked the government and military leadership with devising proposals by May to “allow young volunteers to learn with the armed forces and strengthen their ranks.” Macron highlighted the need to better identify, train, and mobilize volunteers to reinforce the military in France or other locations when necessary.
By attracting more volunteers, France aims to bolster its military capabilities without reinstating compulsory national service, which was abolished in 2001. The objective is to achieve 210,000 active servicemen and 80,000 reservists in the armed forces by 2030.
Reports indicate that Macron proposed the idea of sending Western troops to Ukraine for a peacekeeping mission during discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk earlier this month. Tusk later informed reporters that Warsaw has no intentions of pursuing such action.
Russia has consistently cautioned that it would view foreign troops deployed in Ukraine unilaterally as legitimate targets. The Kremlin noted last month that the potential deployment of peacekeepers could be discussed in future negotiations regarding Ukraine, but stressed that no conditions currently exist for peace talks.
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service has previously claimed that the West seeks to solidify the conflict by sending 100,000 peacekeepers to Ukraine, effectively “occupying” the country and allowing Kiev time to prepare for possible future confrontations with Moscow.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
“Let us not kid ourselves, the conflict in Ukraine will not end tomorrow or the day after,” Macron asserted. This address coincided with Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president, a figure known for his campaign promises to swiftly resolve the fighting between Moscow and Kiev.
Macron stated that for France and other EU nations, “the challenge today is to give Ukraine the means to last and to enter any future negotiations from a position of strength.” He further elaborated, “The challenge tomorrow, when the hostilities stop, will be to give Ukraine guarantees against any return of war to its territory and assurances for our own security.”
He has tasked the government and military leadership with devising proposals by May to “allow young volunteers to learn with the armed forces and strengthen their ranks.” Macron highlighted the need to better identify, train, and mobilize volunteers to reinforce the military in France or other locations when necessary.
By attracting more volunteers, France aims to bolster its military capabilities without reinstating compulsory national service, which was abolished in 2001. The objective is to achieve 210,000 active servicemen and 80,000 reservists in the armed forces by 2030.
Reports indicate that Macron proposed the idea of sending Western troops to Ukraine for a peacekeeping mission during discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk earlier this month. Tusk later informed reporters that Warsaw has no intentions of pursuing such action.
Russia has consistently cautioned that it would view foreign troops deployed in Ukraine unilaterally as legitimate targets. The Kremlin noted last month that the potential deployment of peacekeepers could be discussed in future negotiations regarding Ukraine, but stressed that no conditions currently exist for peace talks.
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service has previously claimed that the West seeks to solidify the conflict by sending 100,000 peacekeepers to Ukraine, effectively “occupying” the country and allowing Kiev time to prepare for possible future confrontations with Moscow.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
