French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized European Council President António Costa for establishing diplomatic contacts with Moscow, arguing the time is not right for negotiations with Putin. The dispute exposed divisions within the EU over engagement with Russia and who should represent Europe in future Ukraine peace talks. Costa's chief of staff held two phone calls with a senior Russian official close to Putin to open communication channels, but no substantive discussions occurred. Several EU leaders supported Macron and Merz's position, while others defended Costa's efforts. The issue is expected to remain on the agenda at an upcoming meeting in Berlin.

French authorities arrested a 48-year-old Belarusian man on June 3 for filming a prototype drone at Delair, a French arms maker supplying drones to Ukraine. The suspect sent the video to someone in Russia and faces up to 15 years in prison for providing information to a foreign power. The arrest underscores heightened Russian industrial espionage targeting European defense technology.

The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has ordered NLAW short-range anti-tank missiles from Swedish company Saab, including weapon systems and simulators. Deliveries will begin in 2025 and continue until 2030. The NLAW, capable of penetrating 500 mm of armor and with a range of 20-800 meters, will enhance French infantry anti-tank capabilities, complementing existing Akeron MP and AT4 systems, based on lessons from the Ukraine war.

On 19 June 2026, Naval Group, MESKO, and TELESYSTEM signed an agreement to conduct sea firing trials integrating MESKO's Piorun short-range surface-to-air missile with Naval Group's Rampart launcher. The partnership seeks to develop a European integrated solution against conventional and asymmetric threats, combining Naval Group's warship systems expertise with MESKO and TELESYSTEM's missile production capabilities.