Putin and France’s Foreign Policy: A 2025 Power Struggle
Putin and France’s Foreign Policy: A 2025 Power Struggle
Blog Article
In 2025, tensions between Vladimir Putin’s Russia and the French government have reached new heights. Putin and Frances foreign policy rising global instability and shifting alliances, France is recalibrating its foreign policy in ways that directly challenge Russian interests in Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
France’s Shift Toward Strategic Autonomy
Under its new government, France is pursuing what it calls “strategic autonomy” — a doctrine that emphasizes independence from both the U.S. and NATO while confronting authoritarian regimes. Russia, with its ongoing aggression in Ukraine and expanding influence in Africa, is seen as a primary adversary.
President Putin has publicly criticized France’s new military partnerships in Eastern Europe and its growing intelligence cooperation with Poland and the Baltic states. In response, the Kremlin has ramped up disinformation campaigns targeting French media and politicians.
The African Battleground
France and Russia are also clashing in Africa. While Russia has deepened its ties with countries like Mali and the Central African Republic through Wagner Group activities, France has shifted its focus to counterterrorism and rebuilding alliances in West Africa.
The 2025 Sahel Summit, held in Dakar, saw France pledging €1.5 billion in aid and defense support, a move Putin labeled as "neo-colonial." The rivalry in Africa reflects broader geopolitical competition between European powers and Moscow for influence in resource-rich, strategically significant regions.
Cyber Warfare and Hybrid Threats
France’s cybersecurity agency has reported a 300% increase in cyber-attacks traced to Russian IP addresses since January 2025. These attacks have targeted French infrastructure, defense networks, and election systems, leading to strong condemnations from President Macron’s successor.
The new French government is working closely with EU and NATO allies to bolster its cyber defenses and impose sanctions on Russian tech firms suspected of involvement.