The Kremlin's reaction after France's nuclear test: “It is a dead-end road”

The Kremlin criticized the test of a ballistic missile launched from a French submarine and called for security issues to be resolved through dialogue, not shows of force. Moscow’s reaction comes amid growing tensions between Russia and European countries, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia had received the message sent by France through the test conducted off the coast of Brittany. He accused Europe of shaping its defense policy in direct response to Russia and described this strategy as “a dead end.”

President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the launch on Tuesday and said the test’s message was “clear” and intended for those who needed to receive it, without explicitly mentioning Moscow. The test is part of the verification and maintenance of France’s strategic capabilities, as the European Union’s only nuclear power, which relies on air- and sea-based components for deterrence.

Peskov argued that security issues should be resolved through negotiations. The exchange of statements reflects the debate over the future European security architecture and the role of nuclear deterrence, while Moscow keeps its forces on alert and issues warnings related to the use of nuclear weapons.