President Macron announces a reform of the universal national service for youth, emphasizing that France will not send young people to Ukraine to fight.

In an interview with RTL, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the intention to reform the universal national service (SNU) aimed at young people aged between 15 and 17, to strengthen the link between the army and the nation. Macron wanted to clarify that France will not send young people to Ukraine to fight, following controversial statements by the Chief of the Joint Staff, Fabien Mandon, who suggested that France should be prepared to lose its children in the event of war.

The president emphasized that these statements were distorted and that this is not the meaning of his policy. He also mentioned the need to strengthen citizens' understanding and participation in national defense, highlighting the importance of military reserves. Although the SNU will be transformed, Macron did not reiterate the term "voluntary military service" announced earlier, but confirmed that a new form for this program will be sought.