US EditionFrench general says country must 'prepare to lose its children' in potential war
General Fabien Mandon warned France must accept sacrifices including potential loss of lives to deter Russian aggression, sparking political backlash and debate on defense priorities.
- On Tuesday, General Fabien Mandon told local mayors that France must accept suffering and potential loss of young people to deter Moscow, emphasizing the 'strength of spirit' to protect the nation.
- The Russia–Ukraine war since February 2022 began with Russia's full-scale invasion, while European powers, including France, have increased weapons supplies but deny direct involvement.
- A government guide urged French households to assemble emergency kits, but historian Benedicte Cheron said the message struggles amid a polarised population.
- Opposition figures immediately denounced the remarks, with Fabien Roussel and Louis Aliot warning the chief of staff should not 'worry the country,' while Catherine Vautrin defended the military language as 'taken out of context.'
- The controversy has revived questions over France's role and limits in supporting Ukraine, as France's top military leader faces accusations of warmongering that challenge the French public and European allies' readiness for sacrifice.
83 Articles
83 Articles
In France it is scandalous after a speech in which the head of the Major State said that Hexagon should accept the idea of losing his children in war if the Russians declared a new war in Europe. The general did not refer to minors, but to young people in the army, but the idea of the evicted human life loss caused a shock in society.
For Fabien Mandon, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the country waves against Moscow because it is not ready to kill its young people. Meanwhile, the government publishes a brochure on how to survive an attack.The hypothesis of the outbreak of a conflict capable of involving France continues to hold a stand over the Alps. Yesterday, the government led by Sébastien Lecornu published online a booklet aimed at explaining to the French how to become…
The head of the state-major of the armies spoke at the Congress of Mayors of France on Tuesday evening, and his remarks were re-acted. Here is the integralite of his speech.
Invited this Friday morning on TF1, the government spokesman Maud Bregeon stressed that General Fabien Mandon's remarks referred to the soldiers already engaged in operations around the world.
The Hungarian Minister of Agriculture reacted with shock to a video in which the French Chief of Staff says that the French must accept that they could “lose their sons” in an upcoming war. István Nagy says it is alarming that Western Europe is already openly preparing society for military losses, while Brussels continues to impose a war policy.
Faced with the controversy caused by the statements of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, the government spokesman Maud Bregeon wants to be reassuring. Young French people will not "combat and die in Ukraine".
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