![\"Firefighters](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SEI_275101745-e574.jpg\")
\n\t\tFirefighters work at the site of the Russian air strike, amid Russia\u2019s attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine November 20, 2025 (Picture: Reuters)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tFirefighters work at the site of the Russian air strike, amid Russia\u2019s attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine November 20, 2025 (Picture: Reuters)<\/p>\n
France must be prepared \u2018psychologically\u2019 to \u2018lose children\u2019<\/a> in a potential war with Russia<\/a>, an army chief has warned. <\/p>\n Chief of the defence staff general Fabien Mandon told a meeting of local mayors that the nation had the \u2018know-how\u2019 \u2013 but not the \u2018will\u2019 to fight, despite fears that Vladimir Putin<\/a> is preparing an attack on a Nato member by 2030.<\/p>\n European powers, including France, have backed Ukraine with\u00a0increasing supplies of weapons\u00a0but have always insisted they are not directly involved.<\/p>\n Mandon said: \u2018We have all the knowledge, the economic and demographic strength to deter the Russian regime from trying its luck by going further.<\/p>\n \u2018What we lack, and this is where you have a major role to play, is the strength of spirit to accept suffering in order to protect who we are.<\/p>\n \u2018If our country falters because it is not prepared to accept \u2013 let\u2019s be honest \u2013 to lose its children, to suffer economically because defence production will take precedence, then we are at risk.\u2019<\/p>\n The general previously told a defence magazine that Russia \u2018did not know peace\u2019 and that western Europeans had lived in times of relative stability for so long they find it hard to comprehend danger around them.<\/p>\n His words attracted condemnation from several politicians, including from Jen-Luc Melenchon, the leader of the left-wing France Unbowed party, who said he \u2018totally disagreed\u2019 with the warning.<\/p>\n \t\t S\u00e9bastien Chenu, a member of Marine Le Pen\u2019s far-right National Rally, said that the general did not have \u2018legitimacy\u2019 to comment on such policy matters and had made an \u2018error\u2019.<\/p>\n However his co-member Louis Aliot reiterated Mandon\u2019s point that one had to be \u2018ready to die for his country\u2019 to ensure its survival.<\/p>\n This comes after a similar warning from Ukraine\u2019s former defence minister, Dmytro Kuleba, who told the Metro<\/strong> that mothers in Britain will soon have to make an inconceivable choice \u2013 send their sons to fight<\/a> against Russian soldiers in\u00a0Europe<\/a>, or suffer the end of Nato.<\/p>\n Mandon had previously told the party\u2019s defence committee that France could face a \u2018test\u2019 from Russia within just three or four years, the BBC<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n We spoke for almost an hour with U.S. @VP<\/a> JD Vance and @SecArmy<\/a> Dan Driscoll. We managed to cover a lot of details of the American side\u2019s proposals for ending the war, and we\u2019re working to make the path forward dignified and truly effective for achieving a lasting peace. I\u2019m\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/h3uVlnxv2H<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Volodymyr Zelenskyy \/ \u0412\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0434\u0438\u043c\u0438\u0440 \u0417\u0435\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0441\u044c\u043a\u0438\u0439 (@ZelenskyyUa) November 21, 2025<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Speaking on behalf of the government<\/a>, defence minister Catherine Vautrin said it was essential to foster a sense of \u2018collective moral force\u2019 in order to be prepared for a possible future conflict.<\/p>\n \u2018Our policy is to do everything to avoid war but at the same time prepare, and consolidate that collective moral force without which no nation can survive the test\u2019, she said.<\/p>\n It comes as Volodymyr Zelensky<\/a> said Ukraine<\/a> faces one of the most difficult moments in its history after being presented with Donald Trump<\/a>\u2019s 28-point plan to end the war.<\/p>\n The proposals would see Ukraine barred from joining Nato, while Russia would be readmitted to the G8 as well as keep hold of the Donbas region.<\/p>\n Ukraine would also have to significantly shrink its armed forces and commit to holding elections within 100 days.<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n For more stories like this, <\/strong>check our news page<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow \t\t\tComments \t\t\t\tAdd as preferred source \t\t\t\tNews Updates<\/p>\n Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Mandatory](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SEI_273951299-ff22.jpg\")
\n\t\tMandon with President Emmanuel Macron on November 11 (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n\n
\nMORE: Trump tells Zohran Mamdani \u2018it\u2019s OK\u2019 to call him a fascist during White House meeting<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: Putin backs Donald Trump\u2019s 28-point peace plan for Ukraine<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: US soldiers \u2018accidentally invade Mexico\u2019 while planting warning signs on a beach<\/a><\/p>\n
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