Macron ordered to prepare for mobilization

French President Emmanuel Macron announced a project to mobilize more young volunteers “to strengthen the army” and ordered the government and military to develop corresponding measures. Le Monde wrote this on Monday, January 20.

Macron cited an “accumulation of threats” forcing France to adapt. He said the country aims to have 210,000 active military personnel and 80,000 reservists by 2030.

Macron also began updating a strategic review of defense priorities, calling for a “European strategic awakening.”

“Let’s not deceive ourselves. The conflict in Ukraine will not end tomorrow or the day after,” the French president said.

He emphasized that there is no peace and security in Europe “without Europeans and without negotiations conducted by Europeans.”

“The challenge today is to give Ukraine the means to stay and enter any future negotiations from a position of strength. The challenge tomorrow, when the fighting stops, is to give Ukraine guarantees against any return to war on its territory, as well as guarantees for our own security,” Macron added.

In this context, the French leader asked the French government and the headquarters of the armed forces to develop proposals in May to “give young volunteers the opportunity to study in the armed forces and strengthen their ranks.”

“We have to do a better job of identifying volunteers, training them and being able to mobilize them when the time comes to support the armies in mainland France or elsewhere. After a professional army, we have to mobilize a reserve of professionals to provide support and reinforcement,” he said. Emmanuel Macron.

Let’s recall that last week President Vladimir Zelensky and Macron discussed the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine.