France’s armed forces must be ready for a major confrontation while continuing their day-to-day duties, Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said. RIA Novosti reported her remarks, citing Le Monde.
Vautrin spoke to the French National Assembly’s Defence Committee during a discussion of the 2027 military budget. She said Paris considered Russia’s intentions “perfectly clear.”
Russia has repeatedly said it does not plan to attack NATO countries. President Vladimir Putin has also said Moscow does not intend to attack alliance states. Russia has voiced concern about NATO’s military build-up in Europe.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has said it is open to dialogue with NATO on an equal footing. It has urged Western countries to abandon what it calls the militarisation of the continent.