French president unveils new military program for volunteers aged 18 and 19 World Nov 27, 2025 11:49 AM EST

VARCES, France (AP) — President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday unveiled a new program meant to bolster France’s armed forces by training thousands of volunteers aged 18 and 19 starting next year, part of a broader response to concerns over Russia’s threat to European nations beyond the war in Ukraine.

The young volunteers will serve in uniform for 10 months in France’s mainland and oversea territories only, not in military operations abroad, Macron said in a speech at the Varces military base, which is located in the French Alps.

“A new national service is set to be gradually established, starting from this summer,” Macron said. “In this uncertain world where power prevails over la

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