French general slammed after grim warning about future war with Russia
Illustrative photo: French soldiers (Getty Images)
A French general, Fabien Mandon, has come under fire. He stated during a speech that the French people lack the spirit needed to resist Russia, which will eventually lead to French children dying in a future war, France24 reports.
In October, Chief of the Defense Staff Fabien Mandon warned that the French army must be ready for a war with Russia within three to four years. In recent days, he went even further, calling on mayors to begin preparing the population for war.
He said there is no reason to believe that the situation in Ukraine is the end of the war on the continent. Russia is preparing for a confrontation with the European countries around 2030, he added.
He also criticized the French for a lack of "spirit."
"If our country falters because it is not prepared to accept – let's be honest – to lose its children, to suffer economically because defence production will take precedence, then we are at risk," he concluded.
Criticism among the opposition
Mandon's statement was sharply criticized, especially by the opposition, some of whom were previously suspected of pro-Russian sympathies.
Left-wing radical Jean-Luc Mélenchon stated that the general had no right to make such statements to mayors.
"It is not his place to invite mayors or anyone else to participate in war preparations decided by no one: not the President, not the government, not Parliament. Nor is it his place to anticipate sacrifices that would result from our diplomatic failures, on which his public opinion has not been sought!" Mélenchon said.
French Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel also reacted, calling for avoiding war under any circumstances.
"It's a no! 51,000 war memorials in our towns and villages are not enough? Yes to national defence, but no to unbearable warmongering rhetoric!" he wrote on social media.
European countries consistently underline that they are not directly participating in the war with Russia but are ready to deploy peacekeeping forces in Ukraine after Kyiv signs a peace agreement with Moscow. France is among the countries expected to participate in this peacekeeping mission.
Other European countries may also join. Recently, the United Kingdom clarified its plans to deploy military units in Ukraine, preparing for the possible end of the war and participation in a peace settlement.
