France increases defense focus amid Russian interference allegations

French President Emmanuel Macron has signaled a shift toward increased military readiness, stating that Europe must be prepared to defend itself if necessary. Speaking in Paris during Bastille Day celebrations, Macron highlighted a decade of rising military spending, with the budget projected to reach 57 billion euros by the end of his term. This stance aligns with a joint declaration from a coalition of leaders calling for an integrated European missile defense architecture to counter future threats.

Concurrently, tensions have escalated regarding allegations of foreign interference. The French agency VIGINUM has attributed recent disinformation operations to networks described as pro-Russian, specifically targeting political figures such as Gabriel Attal.

The Russian embassy in Paris has firmly rejected these accusations, claiming that France is using the narrative of a ‘Russian threat’ to justify militarization and increased defense spending. Moscow argued that such policies divert funds from socially important sectors and contribute to growing public debt and economic instability within Western nations.