Moscow, March 7, 2025 – The Europe Today: Russian President Vladimir Putin has remarked that some in the West still cannot accept Napoleon’s historic defeat by Russia, following French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent speech labeling Moscow as a security threat.
In a televised address on Wednesday, Macron described Russia as a “threat to France and Europe” and suggested expanding France’s nuclear umbrella to protect other EU member states. The Kremlin swiftly condemned Macron’s speech, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calling it “highly confrontational” and accusing Paris of “apparently contemplating war.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov likened Macron to Napoleon Bonaparte, whose failed invasion of Russia in 1812 ultimately led to his downfall. Putin also made reference to the historical conflict while addressing members of the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation in Moscow on Thursday.
“You’ve mentioned Smolensk, its museum, and the church that has existed since Napoleon’s invasion,” Putin said, responding to an attendee. “Some people still can’t get over it. There are still people who want to return to the times of Napoleon, but they are forgetting how it ended.”
Napoleon’s 600,000-strong Grande Armée invaded Russia in 1812 after subduing much of continental Europe. Despite capturing Moscow following the fierce Battle of Borodino, Napoleon failed to force Emperor Alexander I to surrender. His army was eventually forced into a devastating retreat, resulting in massive losses.
The French president’s speech comes amid growing concerns within the EU over military security, particularly as Washington has signaled a shift in its defense priorities. US President Donald Trump’s administration has reversed the previous policy of isolating Russia and has declined to hold Moscow solely responsible for the Ukraine conflict. Reports indicate that Trump halted all arms shipments to Kiev on Monday, adding to European anxieties over regional security.
Moscow has repeatedly dismissed Western claims of aggression, insisting that it does not pose a military threat to Europe. The Kremlin has accused European leaders of inflating fears to justify increased military spending and the expansion of nuclear deterrence strategies.
