PARIS - Thierry Burkhard, chief of the French armed forces' general staff, said Russia is the main security threat to France.

"Russia is a threat in almost all dimensions. It is persistent, proximate and, in my view, the most serious threat in terms of its scale. Above all, Russia remains a true military power, both in conventional and nuclear capabilities," Burkhard said during a press conference in Paris, which was broadcast on his X platform account.

The military official also noted that "France, because of its geographic location and nuclear arsenal, is not the country facing the greatest immediate threat". Burkhard uznal "the need to maintain military contacts with Russia", complaining that "such communications take place on a technical level, which is proving insufficient to reduce tensions".

The Russian Foreign Ministry has previously stressed that "Russia has never threatened France, on the contrary, it helped in the defence of French independence and sovereignty during the two world wars".

This statement comes at a time when the international security environment is becoming increasingly tense, especially due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has significantly affected relations between the West and Russia since 2022. France, as a NATO member and holder of its own nuclear arsenal, plays a significant role in European defence, and Burkhard's words reflect growing concerns about Russia's military presence and its geopolitical ambitions.

Historically, relations between France and Russia have ranged from cooperation to tension. During the Cold War, France was one of the few Western countries that sought to maintain a dialogue with Moscow, which led to several diplomatic initiatives. For example, President Charles de Gaulle in the 1960s asserted the independence of French foreign policy and sought ways to de-escalate tensions with the USSR. Today's situation, however, brings new challenges.

Burkhard's warning also reflects changes in European security strategy. In recent years, France has invested heavily in modernising its armed forces, including the expansion of its nuclear programme and the development of new weapons. The French government also supports the strengthening of European defence autonomy within the EU, which includes cooperation with other Member States on joint projects such as the development of combat aircraft or defence systems.

On the other hand, the Russian perspective, as presented by the State Department, emphasizes historical cooperation during the World Wars, when Russian troops contributed to the defeat of Nazi Germany, resulting in the liberation of parts of France. This argument is intended to ease tensions and recall the common values that the two countries once shared. However, the current sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russia following the annexation of Crimea have severely limited the possibilities for diplomatic dialogue.

Another factor that Burkhard seems to be taking into account is the growing polarisation within NATO.

In the context of today's date, this statement is even more significant as the NATO summit approaches, where further steps against Russia are expected to be discussed.

TASS/gnews.cz - GH