Russia is priming for a long-term expansive war and considers France its primary adversary in Europe because of its strong support for Ukraine, the head of the French army said on Friday
The French general, Thierry Burkhard, in a rare news conference, described Russia as “a lasting, close threat” that is already menacing Europe in multiple ways, including satellite maneuvers and covert destabilization campaigns.
Even after taking heavy casualties in Ukraine, Russia remains a formidable military menace, he said.
“Russia will continue to rearm, despite the incredible losses it is suffering,” he said. He estimates that “before 2030, it will again constitute a force that will pose a real threat to our borders on Europe’s eastern flank.”
General Burkhard, France’s highest ranking military official, said Russia would be a redoubtable enemy, with a “complete army model.”
“I don’t see any missing capabilities,” he said. Moscow has nuclear weapons it can deliver from land, air and submarine, a centralized command, and a population inured to suffering that is “capable of enduring things that seem completely unimaginable to us,” he said.
General Burkhard repeated several times that the Kremlin and Mr. Putin himself have made it clear they see France as Russia’s primary European enemy.
“Putin said it, ‘France is my main adversary in Europe,’” he said. “That doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about other countries.”
Russia already has made menacing moves against France, General Burkhard said. Russian satellites have hindered or jammed French satellites, its submarines have patrolled the North Atlantic and Mediterranean “to monitor areas that are important for us,” and its bombers have gone on long-range tours to spy on Allied aircraft carrier groups, he said.
In addition, there have been covert Russian operations in France, like spreading fake news about a bedbug outbreak in Paris, and hiring proxies to paint Stars of David on walls around Paris in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attacks, when antisemitic incidents were rapidly rising in the country.
France was the central target of Russia, he said, because it has taken a leading role in supporting Ukraine. By destabilizing France, he said, “ultimately it will have a domino effect.”
“There’s a real need for awareness,” he said. “We are the No. 1 adversary designated by the Russians, and that means there’s an existing level of threat.”
Asked when the Russian president had labeled France as its particular adversary, Gen. Burkhard’s spokesman did not provide an example, but pointed to a poll published in May by a Russian state-owned polling agency in which nearly half the respondents — 48 percent — named France as the nation most hostile to Russia.
Alina Lobzina contributed reporting from London.
Catherine Porter is an international reporter for The Times, covering France. She is based in Paris.
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