French chief of defence says forces must be ready for possible clash with Russia "within 3-4 years"

France's Chief of the Defence Staff, General Fabien Mandon, has said that the Russian Federation "may be inclined to continue the war on our continent".

Source: Le Figaro, a French daily morning newspaper, as reported by European Pravda

Details: General Mandon, who took command of the French Armed Forces on 1 September, has tasked the troops with "being ready for conflict within three to four years".

Quote: "Russia is a country that may seek to prolong the war on our continent, and that is a defining factor in what I am preparing for."

More details: Mandon said that Moscow holds "a perception of Europe's collective weakness" and demonstrates "a looseness in the use of force".

He added, however, that from an economic, demographic and industrial standpoint, Europeans hold a clear advantage over Russia.

Quote: "Russia cannot frighten us if we are determined to defend ourselves."

Background:

• Last week, the head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service, Martin Jäger, warned of a real risk of military conflict with Russia.
• More than a quarter of Germans also consider an armed confrontation with Russia possible within the next six months.

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