Macron warns Europe against weakness amid Russian hybrid warfare

French President Emmanuel Macron issued a stark warning to Europe on Tuesday about the dangers of appearing weak in response to Russia's increasingly aggressive posture. In a documentary interview with French broadcasters RTL and M6, Macron asserted that Moscow is engaged in a broad "strategic confrontation" with EU and NATO member states, employing hybrid warfare tactics including cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and efforts to exacerbate social divisions within France.

Russia's Hybrid Warfare Tactics

Macron detailed the multifaceted nature of the threat, stating, "Russia is waging hybrid warfare. It provokes on nuclear issues, conducts cyberattacks, targets our hospitals and information systems, and engages in information warfare to undermine morale." He linked recent antisemitic and anti-Muslim incidents in France to this broader Russian strategy of societal destabilization. The French leader also highlighted Russia's significant military ramp-up, noting that defense now consumes over one-third of the national budget, fueling expanded production of missiles, submarines, and tanks.

The Consequences of European Weakness

The President argued that European resolve is being tested, particularly regarding continued support for Ukraine. "If we are weak in Ukraine, if we say it is no longer our problem because it is far away, that day you send a signal of weakness. And Russia will continue to advance wherever we are weak," he cautioned. Macron directly accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of deliberately prolonging the conflict, claiming he could end it if he wished but instead chooses to target civilians and critical infrastructure.

Peace Prospects and National Service

While Macron described a recent 28-point US peace framework discussed in Geneva as "a step in the right direction," he insisted any final settlement must safeguard Ukrainian sovereignty and not be dictated by external powers. He also announced an upcoming new national service program for France but explicitly ruled out deploying French youth to Ukraine, seeking to dispel what he called "misleading notions" about the initiative's purpose.