French Military Chief Warns Russia Could Threaten Europe by 2030

France’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Thierry Burkhard, has warned that Russia could pose a conventional military threat to NATO and Europe by 2030, underscoring the urgency for European countries to adapt their military strategies and increase preparedness. He highlighted Russia’s enduring combat experience, large military capacity, and rapid rearmament as key factors making it a dangerous adversary, noting that in a conflict, Russians would endure “five minutes longer” than their opponents. Burkhard emphasized that France is already investing heavily in defense, including enhancing rapid deployment capabilities and ammunition reserves, and stressed the importance of combining high-tech weapons with cheaper munitions to exhaust an adversary. He also underscored the evolving nature of warfare, advocating for integrated drone use across land, air, and sea, while acknowledging that if France were directly threatened, nuclear deterrence would be paramount. The general expressed confidence that the United States will maintain a presence in Europe, and he views the strengthening alliance between France, the UK, and Germany as a potential “European pillar of NATO.” This assessment aligns with warnings from German officials and Ukrainian leaders about Russia’s readiness to challenge NATO, possibly testing the alliance’s resolve through hybrid and conventional tactics by the end of the decade.