France appears ready to send troops to Ukraine if Russia moves closer to Kyiv or Odessa.
French President Emmanuel Macron never ceases to shock with his statements about the war in Ukraine. So, French newspaper L’Independent reported that on Thursday Macron met with parliamentary parties and said he was open to the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine. What does he mean and what are the other possible scenarios in the plot.
Macron’s plan
The words of the French leader, according to media reports, were repeated by Fabien Roussel, a representative Communist Party of France. As Roussel said after the meeting, Macron showed parliamentarians maps of possible directions of Russian strikes on Ukraine.
He, in particular, expressed his readiness to send French troops to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine if there is a breakthrough on the front towards Odessa or Kyiv, the politician added.
In addition, the leader of the ultra-right National Association Jordan Bardella also confirmed that Macron does not intend to put “no limit” or “no red line” on French support.
Several people present, on condition of anonymity, told another French publication, Le Figaro, that Macron actually explained the dangers of withdrawing the Ukrainian army from the current front line at the meeting with the card
“He explained to us, in essence, that as soon as we support Ukraine, but start saying that we are limiting ourselves, Vladimir Putin is likely to be successful,” explained one of the interlocutors.
Clarification from the French Ministry of Defense
Later, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu commented on Macron’s meeting with the leaders of the political parties. According to him, the president did not propose to send troops to Ukraine to participate specifically in the hostilities.
Lekarnu explained that Paris invites the Allies to explore new options to help Kyiv, other than the transfer of weapons, but without the participation of their soldiers in the conflict. At the same time, the French minister authorized the presence of foreign troops as “instructors” or mine clearance specialists.
“Troops on the ground will not fight, as said here and there, because the President of the Republic said there is no cobeligence (complicity in hostilities – ed.),” said Lecornu.
In particular, he mentioned “plans or routes for military presence for mine clearance, training of Ukrainian soldiers on Ukrainian land.”
“As you know, the more Ukraine needs to conscript into the army, that is, to increase its number, the greater the need for a massive increase in training,” added the minister.
What they say in other countries
Germany confirmed that sending troops to Ukraine was indeed discussed, but Berlin has not yet suggested such a possibility, as well as the transfer of Taurus.
“Nobody wants to send ground troops into Ukraine. Of course, this is being discussed. There is a decisive border here that we will not cross. We will not become a war party. And that is the reason why the Taurus has not yet been delivered, ” said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
And he added that long-range missiles do not seem decisive for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
A similar position was expressed by Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkänen.
“No one is in favor of boots on the ground right now. But everyone is in favor of more aid in the form of guns, ammunition and money, and that’s what we should focus on now,” he said.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.