French Chief of Defense Staff General Thierry Burkhard stated in a rare press conference on July 11, 2025, that Russia has designated France as its main adversary in Europe. He attributed this hostile stance to France's strong military position as the leading power in Europe and its support for Ukraine following Russia's invasion. Burkhard described Russia as a lasting and close threat to France, emphasizing that the Kremlin has made France a priority target. He highlighted that Russia's war in Ukraine is existential for Moscow, with objectives including weakening Europe and dismantling NATO. The general warned of a growing hybrid warfare campaign against France involving cyberattacks, espionage, disinformation, and sabotage. He also noted other security challenges such as terrorism, instability in Africa, and state-sponsored terrorism by Iran. Burkhard called for European nations to enhance their defense capabilities in response to these threats, underscoring that traditional deterrence models are no longer sufficient. His remarks precede a speech by President Emmanuel Macron to the armed forces and come just days before France's national July 14 parade.