France suggests the West may mull over implementing ‘conventional deterrence’ in Ukraine
The French Defense Minister suggests that the West should engage in discussions about implementing a “conventional deterrence” package in Ukraine to counter Russia's actions. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Russia must be deterred from initiating new operations against its neighbor once a ceasefire is established, according to Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
Lecornu stated that the West should seriously consider the deployment of "conventional deterrence" assets on Ukrainian territory post-conflict, which may encompass long-range missile systems.
In a recent interview with TF1/LCI, Lecornu discussed Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s proposed “victory plan,” which he presented to the national parliament last week. Among other provisions, this plan includes an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO immediately, along with the removal of Western restrictions on the use of foreign-made long-range weaponry for operations against Russia. Zelensky additionally suggested that the West should “deploy a comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package” in Ukraine to deter Russian aggression.
Zelensky clarified that this proposed package should either compel Russia to engage in genuine peace negotiations or facilitate the targeting of their military assets, emphasizing the need for missile systems.
Lecornu remarked that Zelensky's plan represents “the beginning of a political path in which we must assume to help Ukraine in the long term, and especially to ask the question what would happen next.” He pointed out that should Kyiv reach a ceasefire with Moscow, it “raises the question of conventional deterrence,” which he believes will “discourage a new Russian aggression.” Lecornu emphasized that this matter needs to be addressed promptly.
He expressed his belief that “one day Ukraine will talk again to Russia,” recalling that the Zelensky plan anticipates Ukraine reclaiming all territories lost to Russia. He added, “The difficulty of the current moment is that we must assume the balance of forces.”
Although French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has indicated Paris’s willingness to back Zelensky’s initiative, several NATO countries have shown less enthusiasm. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has declined to supply Kyiv with long-range missiles or support its expedited NATO membership, while Hungarian officials caution that such actions could lead to significant escalation. Previous media reports have also suggested that many Western allies are skeptical of the plan, viewing it as largely a “wish list.”
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has dismissed Zelensky’s proposal as a "set of incoherent slogans" and accused it of being “bloody foam on the lips of a neo-Nazi killer,” asserting that Kyiv is “pushing NATO members towards a direct conflict” with Russia.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
Lecornu stated that the West should seriously consider the deployment of "conventional deterrence" assets on Ukrainian territory post-conflict, which may encompass long-range missile systems.
In a recent interview with TF1/LCI, Lecornu discussed Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s proposed “victory plan,” which he presented to the national parliament last week. Among other provisions, this plan includes an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO immediately, along with the removal of Western restrictions on the use of foreign-made long-range weaponry for operations against Russia. Zelensky additionally suggested that the West should “deploy a comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package” in Ukraine to deter Russian aggression.
Zelensky clarified that this proposed package should either compel Russia to engage in genuine peace negotiations or facilitate the targeting of their military assets, emphasizing the need for missile systems.
Lecornu remarked that Zelensky's plan represents “the beginning of a political path in which we must assume to help Ukraine in the long term, and especially to ask the question what would happen next.” He pointed out that should Kyiv reach a ceasefire with Moscow, it “raises the question of conventional deterrence,” which he believes will “discourage a new Russian aggression.” Lecornu emphasized that this matter needs to be addressed promptly.
He expressed his belief that “one day Ukraine will talk again to Russia,” recalling that the Zelensky plan anticipates Ukraine reclaiming all territories lost to Russia. He added, “The difficulty of the current moment is that we must assume the balance of forces.”
Although French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has indicated Paris’s willingness to back Zelensky’s initiative, several NATO countries have shown less enthusiasm. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has declined to supply Kyiv with long-range missiles or support its expedited NATO membership, while Hungarian officials caution that such actions could lead to significant escalation. Previous media reports have also suggested that many Western allies are skeptical of the plan, viewing it as largely a “wish list.”
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has dismissed Zelensky’s proposal as a "set of incoherent slogans" and accused it of being “bloody foam on the lips of a neo-Nazi killer,” asserting that Kyiv is “pushing NATO members towards a direct conflict” with Russia.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
