Macron announces plan for mobilization of volunteers
Photo: French President Emmanuel Macron (Getty Images)
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a plan for the mobilization of more young volunteers to support the French Armed Forces, according to Le Monde.
In his address to the military, the French President emphasized the "accumulation of threats" that require France to adapt. Announcing the update of France's defense priorities strategic review, he also called for a "European strategic awakening."
The agency noted that on Monday, January 20, Macron unveiled an ambiguous plan to mobilize more young volunteers to support the armed forces if necessary, in the face of the acceleration of dangers following the war in Ukraine, which seems to signal the end of compulsory military service.
"Let’s not fool ourselves, the conflict in Ukraine will not end tomorrow or the day after," said the President, as his counterpart Donald Trump, who had promised a swift end to the war, took the oath as the 47th president of the United States.
Macron stressed that there could be no peace and security in Europe without Europeans and without Europeans negotiating that.
"The challenge today is to allow Ukraine to withstand and enter any future negotiations from a position of strength. The task tomorrow, when the fighting ends, will be to give Ukraine guarantees against any return to war on its territory, as well as guarantees of our own security," he said.
Macron addressed the government and the headquarters of the armed forces, asking for proposals by May to "enable young volunteers to train in the armed forces and strengthen their ranks."
"We will need to better identify volunteers, train them, and be able to mobilize them when the time comes, reinforcing the armies on mainland France or elsewhere," he emphasized.
He also noted that after a professional army, the French would need to mobilize a professional reserve to provide support and reinforcements.
It’s worth noting that during his inauguration speech, Trump stated that the strength of America would stop all wars and bring a spirit of unity to the world. However, he did not mention Ukraine, despite previously promising to work towards a swift end to the Russia-Ukraine war.
For more details on what the new US President said during his inauguration, refer to the material by RBC-Ukraine.
