France to introduce voluntary military service amid Russian threat, says Le Figaro
Photo: Emmanuel Macron (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
In France, voluntary military service could soon be introduced amid the threat from the Russian army. President Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce the decision, Le Figaro reports.
According to the outlet, the French President may make the announcement as early as November 27.
"France must remain a strong country with a powerful army," Macron said on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
Le Figaro notes that the decision to reintroduce voluntary service has been under consideration for several months. Macron first mentioned it on July 13 during a speech to senior military officers.
"Facing a constant threat from Russia, Europe needs a nation capable of standing firm and being mobilized," Macron said.
Sources told the outlet that different scenarios in the plan envisage recruiting between 10,000 and 50,000 people per year. According to several French media outlets, the voluntary service would last 10 months and provide pay of several hundred euros per month.
Earlier, Germany agreed on reforms to its military service. All 18-year-old citizens will receive a questionnaire to assess motivation and fitness for service. Young people born after January 1, 2008, will be required to undergo a medical examination.
Service will remain voluntary. However, if the required number of volunteers is not reached, Germany may introduce a so-called military duty as needed, with candidates selected by lottery. A vote on this measure is scheduled for December.
Europe prepares for war
The newly appointed head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND), Martin Jäger, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to test Europe's borders and could provoke a "hot confrontation" at any moment.
At the NATO summit in June 2025, EU countries agreed to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. However, not all countries are ready for this, despite including the changes in next year’s budgets.
Earlier, Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Chief of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR), stated that Russia uses a hybrid approach in its relations with European countries, including drones and support for pro-Russian forces.
The Wall Street Journal has also reported that additional troops are being prepared along Europe’s borders.
