Russia Responds to France’s New Doctrine with Call to “Not Forget About Its Nuclear Forces”

Russia has claimed that France should not forget about Russia’s nuclear deterrent and the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made this statement during a briefing on July 24, Russian state media reported.

“It remains to advise the Parisian strategists not to forget in their militaristic frenzy that Russia also has nuclear deterrence forces. And also, to take a closer look at the updated nuclear doctrine of our country and cool down a bit,” Zakharova said, commenting on France’s new strategic review.

Earlier, it was announced that France is ready to use its nuclear deterrent to defend Europe instead of the United States.

On July 14, Bastille Day, France released an updated National Strategic Review (RNS 2025), according to the French media rfi. The document clarifies the country’s defense and security priorities for the coming years.

The review, commissioned by President Emmanuel Macron in January, paints a grim picture of international security and calls for France to be prepared for a high-intensity war, albeit not on its territory.

The central scenario of RNS 2025 is preparation for possible aggression from Russia. The document refers to “the urgent need for France and Europe to be prepared to defend and deter a new threat.”

The text states that “by 2030, the main threat to France and European countries is the possibility of open war in the heart of Europe.”

French strategists emphasize that Russia openly calls Europe an enemy, intensifies information and cyber operations, conducts acts of espionage, and threatens with nuclear weapons. Hostile actions are primarily directed against French and allied forces.

Of particular concern are the Kremlin’s plans to increase the size of the armed forces by another 300,000 troops, 3,000 tanks, and 300 aircraft by 2030. Under these conditions, the likelihood of France’s participation in a major war near Europe is growing.

The document states that “the reality of the Russian threat is unparalleled since the end of the Cold War.” The Kremlin has consistently positioned France and the Europeans as adversaries in its official statements.

It also considers the possibility of a new Russian aggression within 3-5 years, for example, in Moldova, the Balkans, or even against NATO countries, to test the Alliance’s cohesion. The highest risk is a situation in which such aggression coincides with a large-scale crisis in another region of the world, forcing the United States to disperse its forces. In this context, France considers supporting Ukraine a priority: “The resolution of the conflict in Ukraine is of key importance for Europe,” the Strategic Review concludes.