Overview
- Speaking to the Congress of Mayors, General Fabien Mandon said France must accept potential combat losses and economic hardship to defend the nation.
- He argued France should be able within three to four years to dissuade Moscow, warning that Russia may be preparing for a confrontation around 2030.
- His remarks drew immediate criticism from political figures on social media, including Florian Philippot and Georges Kuzmanovic.
- Military analyst General Bruno Clermont called the intervention exceptional and suggested it likely had Élysée approval, noting references to 200,000 active troops and 40,000 reservists.
- Mandon’s stance comes after he rejected the European Commission’s proposed EU anti‑drone wall at a 5 November Senate hearing, as recent unexplained drone incursions in Romania, Germany, Denmark and Belgium renew pressure for collective measures.