The Kremlin has criticised France’s latest test of a nuclear-capable missile, accusing European countries of increasingly defining their security policies around confrontation with Russia and
warning that such an approach will lead nowhere.
The French military conducted the test on Tuesday, launching a submarine-based ballistic missile off the coast of Brittany. President Emmanuel Macron described the exercise as a clear strategic signal, saying its message had been delivered “loud and clear” to those who needed to hear it, although he did not explicitly identify Russia as the intended recipient.
The test comes at a time of growing tensions between Moscow and European capitals over Russia’s war in Ukraine, the future of European defence and the role of nuclear deterrence.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that Moscow had taken note of Macron’s remarks and the missile launch. He portrayed the French test as evidence of what he described as an increasingly militarised European approach to security.
“They are building their identity in the field of defence and security on the basis of confrontation with the Russian Federation,” Peskov told reporters. “This is a dead-end path. As history shows, it leads to nothing good.”
Peskov said Russia was closely monitoring developments but maintained that diplomatic channels should remain open. He argued that security disputes between Russia and European countries should be addressed through negotiations rather than military demonstrations.
“We believe that any problems should be resolved not through demonstrative missile launches, but through dialogue,” he said.
France’s missile test is part of its established nuclear deterrence programme and comes as European governments reassess their defence capabilities amid the continuing war in Ukraine. Paris has increasingly stressed the importance of Europe developing stronger independent defence capabilities, while Moscow has repeatedly criticised European military cooperation and support for Kyiv.
The Kremlin’s latest response reflects the widening gap between Russia and European states over security policy. Moscow has repeatedly warned Western countries against what it considers further escalation, while European governments argue that strengthening deterrence is necessary in response to Russia’s actions and the broader deterioration of the European security environment.
The exchange highlights the increasingly prominent role of nuclear deterrence in European security discussions as the war in Ukraine continues and relations between Russia and the West remain deeply strained. Photo by Meghas, Wikimedia commons.
