France’s highest-ranking military officer, General Fabien Mandon, has once again sounded the alarm about Europe’s readiness in the face of a potential clash with Russia.
Speaking with striking bluntness, he suggested that European societies must be prepared for genuine sacrifice — even the unthinkable — if they want to defend themselves.
His comments, shared in a report by RTL, cut straight to the core: Europe may have the numbers and economic power, but without the willingness to endure hardship, none of it truly matters.
“Strength Means Accepting Hard Times”
Mandon didn’t sugarcoat the message. According to him, Europe cannot rely on prosperity and comfort alone to shield itself from danger.
He warned that if France and its European neighbors shy away from personal and economic sacrifice — including the tragic possibility of losing soldiers in conflict — then they leave themselves exposed.
In his view, a credible defense requires both equipment and societal resolve, and right now Europe is short on the latter.
A Repeated Call to Prepare
This isn’t the first time the general has raised the alarm.
Back in late October, he cautioned that Europe might face a major geopolitical “shock” within the next few years.
His reasoning is simple: if Russia feels emboldened or believes Europe lacks the will to protect itself, the risk of the conflict spilling further west increases.
Even though Europe outmatches Russia economically and demographically, he believes Moscow views the continent as weak — and that perception matters.
Backlash from French Leaders
Mandon’s remarks didn’t land quietly. Several senior figures in French politics criticized his gloomy assessments, arguing that such talk stirs unnecessary fear.
Still, one unnamed politician echoed part of the concern, acknowledging that while Europe has the assets needed to deter Russia, none of it functions if societies refuse to shoulder the burden when defense must take priority.
The message was clear: strength on paper means nothing without commitment in practice.
Mixed Signals from Russia and Its Allies
On the other side, Russian officials continue to reject the notion that they plan to target NATO countries.
President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said Russia has no political or economic incentive to wage war against the alliance, insisting that Western nations create imaginary threats for their own reasons.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán went even further, brushing aside the concerns entirely.
He pointed out the enormous gap between the EU and Russia in population, GDP, and combined military capacity, arguing that Europe’s collective strength is more than enough to deter aggression.
So, What Comes Next?
General Mandon’s warnings leave Europe grappling with a difficult question: does it truly have the will to defend itself in a world where old geopolitical tensions are returning?
For now, the debate continues — between leaders urging vigilance, critics pushing back against fear-driven narratives, and governments walking a tightrope between readiness and public sensitivity.
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