Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said France’s ballistic missile test pointed to a defense and security approach in Europe centered on confrontation with Russia.
Peskov described the test of a nuclear-capable missile launched from a submarine off Brittany as one example of the militarization trend in Europe and said this approach was a “dead end.”
French President Emmanuel Macron praised Tuesday’s test, saying it sent a clear and strong message wherever necessary. Macron did not directly refer to Russia in his statement.

The test took place at a time of rising tensions over the war in Ukraine, European security and nuclear deterrence. Russia has also recently repeated warnings that it could use nuclear weapons to defend itself and its Kaliningrad exclave.
Peskov said Russia had received France’s message but argued that this method would not produce positive results. The Kremlin spokesperson said Russia remained on alert and that problems should be resolved through dialogue rather than showy missile tests.
Other topics at the briefing
Peskov claimed Europe plans to turn the European Union from an economic structure into a military-political bloc, saying Russia is watching closely and taking the necessary steps to ensure its national security at a strategic level. He described the student protests in France as an internal matter for that country.
The Kremlin spokesman said Moscow is following the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis with concern and has not yet been asked to mediate. He also welcomed India’s stated readiness to contribute to resolving the conflict around Ukraine.