French Army Prepares for Possible Conflict with Russia
French Soldiers to Participate in Military Exercise in Romania
In the upcoming year, the French army is set to undergo significant changes in preparation for a potential conflict with Russia, according to a report from Politico. In May, thousands of French soldiers are expected to participate in a large-scale military exercise in Romania. The exercise aims to evaluate the speed at which they can reach NATO’s eastern flank if required, a factor of critical importance in the event of an attack on a NATO ally by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
France's Preparations for Potential World War
The Hungarian news outlet, Magyar Nemzet, has suggested that France's actions indicate that the country is preparing for a world war. The French president has reportedly proposed several alarming plans in recent months that could potentially lead to a conflict between NATO and Russia. It has also been reported that President Emmanuel Macron has not ruled out the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine.
Despite the potential risks of an open conflict with Russia, NATO appears to be making preparations for such an eventuality. "We used to play war. Now, there’s a designated enemy, and we train with people with whom we’d actually go to war,” stated General Bertrand Toujouse. He added that these military exercises are a "strategic signal."
Transformation of French Ground Forces
In recent years, French ground forces have undergone a "profound transformation" in preparation for a conflict as intense as the war in Ukraine. A significant challenge is the ability of French forces to reach Romania in a short period of time. "There is still no military Schengen, and we need to decisively improve military mobility in Europe,” stated General Pierre-Éric Guillot.
The first deployment of troops in Romania in 2022 faced several obstacles, including bureaucratic hurdles, border control procedures, and inadequate trains for transporting military equipment. The countries involved have since been working to resolve these issues. "We may still be hampered by a few customs measures, but we’ve made a lot of progress in diversifying our routes,” Guillot informed reporters.
Bottom Line
The potential for a conflict between NATO and Russia is a cause for concern, and the actions of the French army are indicative of the seriousness of this threat. The upcoming military exercises in Romania are a clear demonstration of the preparations being made for such a scenario. What are your thoughts on this matter? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
