Russia alleges that thousands of soldiers from one of NATO's giants are soon ready to enter the fray in Ukraine, according to Sergei Naryshkin, the Russian intelligence chief.
Citing information from the country's intelligence service, SVR, Naryshkin claims that approximately 2,000 French soldiers are being prepared to be sent to the front lines.
"[The French soldiers] will become a legitimate priority target for attacks by Russian forces," he stated, as reported by the English-language The Moscow Times, referencing a statement on the SVR's website.
This claim, which has not been independently verified by media or other authorities, coincides with French General Pierre Schill's assertion that the French army is ready for "the toughest battles."
"The sword awaits all Frenchmen who ever set foot on the territory of the Russian world," Naryshkin warned.
France Responds: "Disinformation"
France has responded to the Russian assertion, with the country's defense ministry labeling the statement as irresponsible and disinformation.
"The maneuver orchestrated by Sergei Naryshkin, head of the Russian foreign intelligence service, once again illustrates Russia's systematic use of disinformation," the department commented, according to Reuters, condemning such provocations as irresponsible.
"No More Boundaries"
Recent weeks have seen French President Emmanuel Macron's stance towards the Kremlin harden. In February, he did not rule out sending soldiers to Ukraine, a move that faced opposition from Sweden and NATO as an organization. Later, during a meeting with the French opposition, Macron expressed his readiness to participate in a military escalation, which he acknowledged would be very dangerous, as reported by The Telegraph.
"There are no more red lines, there are no more boundaries," said Fabien Roussel, a representative of the French Communist Party, following the meeting, according to Le Monde.
NATO Country Urges: Change Your Stance
Last week, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda urged Sweden and other NATO members to reconsider the discussion initiated by Macron in February. "If we start saying 'No, Vladimir Putin will not like this or that'... then we will never make a decision. And that's why I said to both President Macron and the media yesterday that we should stop drawing red lines for ourselves," Nausėda told Lithuanian LRT, as reported by the American newspaper Newsweek.
Over the weekend, Russia's dictator Vladimir Putin warned of a third world war if France sends ground troops to Ukraine, highlighting the escalating tensions and the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the conflict in Ukraine.
