France reinforces military readiness

New plan addresses European security

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A participant uses a laser rifle during the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC) training at Fort de Montrouge in Arcueil, south of Paris, on Wednesday. AFP

(AFP)

GAP: President Emmanuel Macron was expected to announce yesterday that France is restoring military service on a voluntary basis in the face of the growing threat posed by Russia and the risk of a new conflict in Europe.

Almost three decades after France scrapped conscription, the head of state was due to outline the change in a speech during a visit to an infantry brigade stationed in the Alps in southeastern France, a presidential official said, requesting anonymity.

The announcement comes more than three and a half years into Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Mr Macron and other French officials warning that Moscow may not stop at Ukraine's borders.