France might still deploy troops to Ukraine, says minister
President Emmanuel Macron has suggested that the West should consider the possibility of deploying troops to support Kiev. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
France is leaving the door open for the potential deployment of troops to Ukraine, according to European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad, who emphasized that President Emmanuel Macron remains committed to his earlier assertions on the matter. Haddad stated that the EU “has a duty to further support Ukraine” in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The possibility of NATO forces being sent to Ukraine was first suggested by Macron in February, although he encountered considerable resistance from other countries within the US-led military alliance.
In a recent interview with Germany’s Berliner Zeitung, Haddad reiterated, “President Macron has said that we should not rule out anything, and this stands as ever.” He noted that the West should “contemplate training missions in particular.”
When questioned about the risk of escalation if this scenario unfolds, Haddad pointed the finger at Russia for blocking all diplomatic efforts towards resolution. He argued, “We should stop drawing red lines for ourselves and seek to embrace what we call strategic ambiguity.”
Additionally, the minister supported enabling Ukraine to utilize Western-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets deep in Russia.
In July, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service indicated that France had considered sending approximately 2,000 troops to Ukraine.
During a June press conference, Macron disclosed that Paris was working to form a coalition aimed at deploying military instructors to assist Ukraine. He also remarked that “we are not at war with Russia” and emphasized that France did not “want an escalation.”
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy criticized Macron’s comments on troop deployment in May, warning that such “strategic ambiguity [could] create the conditions for a catastrophic outburst.”
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also expressed their opposition to Macron's proposal in June.
Around that time, sources indicated that US President Joe Biden had blocked Macron’s suggestion regarding the deployment of Western instructors to Ukraine, citing concerns over escalation.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also consistently opposed sending NATO troops to bolster Ukraine.
In response to Macron’s statements in May, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov labeled the remarks as “very dangerous,” while President Vladimir Putin warned that the introduction of Western forces to Ukraine could trigger a “serious conflict in Europe and a global conflict.”
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
The possibility of NATO forces being sent to Ukraine was first suggested by Macron in February, although he encountered considerable resistance from other countries within the US-led military alliance.
In a recent interview with Germany’s Berliner Zeitung, Haddad reiterated, “President Macron has said that we should not rule out anything, and this stands as ever.” He noted that the West should “contemplate training missions in particular.”
When questioned about the risk of escalation if this scenario unfolds, Haddad pointed the finger at Russia for blocking all diplomatic efforts towards resolution. He argued, “We should stop drawing red lines for ourselves and seek to embrace what we call strategic ambiguity.”
Additionally, the minister supported enabling Ukraine to utilize Western-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets deep in Russia.
In July, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service indicated that France had considered sending approximately 2,000 troops to Ukraine.
During a June press conference, Macron disclosed that Paris was working to form a coalition aimed at deploying military instructors to assist Ukraine. He also remarked that “we are not at war with Russia” and emphasized that France did not “want an escalation.”
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy criticized Macron’s comments on troop deployment in May, warning that such “strategic ambiguity [could] create the conditions for a catastrophic outburst.”
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also expressed their opposition to Macron's proposal in June.
Around that time, sources indicated that US President Joe Biden had blocked Macron’s suggestion regarding the deployment of Western instructors to Ukraine, citing concerns over escalation.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also consistently opposed sending NATO troops to bolster Ukraine.
In response to Macron’s statements in May, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov labeled the remarks as “very dangerous,” while President Vladimir Putin warned that the introduction of Western forces to Ukraine could trigger a “serious conflict in Europe and a global conflict.”
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
