Macron to present new French national service plan

The French president insisted the plan was "not at all" to send young people to Ukraine.

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Details are scant, but according to French media the scheme would be voluntary, remunerated and last 10 months.

In an interview with local media he sought to reassure French people that the plan did not mean young people would be sent to fight in Ukraine.

"We really need to, right now, dispel any misconception that we're going to send our young people to Ukraine," he said. "That's not at all what this is about."

However, Macron stated the new framework was meant to address the "desire for service" among the youth - and to face the "hybrid confrontation" waged by Russia.