French veterans call for transparency regarding involvement in Ukraine
A coalition of retired French military officials, comprising more than two dozen generals, has called on Parliament to hold discussions regarding the nation's troop presence in Ukraine and the provision of lethal aid to Kiev. In a letter directed...
TroibNews 
A coalition of retired French military officials, comprising more than two dozen generals, has called on Parliament to hold discussions regarding the nation's troop presence in Ukraine and the provision of lethal aid to Kiev.
In a letter directed to the leaders of both houses of Parliament, these former officers urged lawmakers to engage in a formal debate concerning military support and the ongoing deployment of French troops aiding Ukraine's war efforts.
The correspondence, titled the ‘Citizen Resolution,’ was made public earlier this week on Place d’Armes, a platform designed for current and former military personnel to share their perspectives on national policy. It also contained a public appeal for citizens to sign the resolution in support.
The signatories contended that France's military involvement in Ukraine, conducted without a parliamentary mandate, and the delivery of arms without public debate, breach the French Constitution and Criminal Code. They asserted that since 2022, there has been insufficient communication to Parliament about the potential presence of French troops in Ukraine, despite the legal requirement to inform lawmakers of any "military intervention."
The letter called on Parliament to disclose “all information” regarding troop presence in the Journal Officiel, the official gazette of France, and to “organize a debate with a vote on the continuation of this intervention” within 15 days of receiving the letter.
Additionally, the document indicated that the French-Ukrainian security pact, which was signed last year and involves €3 billion in aid alongside multi-year military support, has yet to be ratified by Parliament. This is significant as the Constitution mandates parliamentary ratification for treaties with substantial financial repercussions for the state.
“The lack of regular parliamentary ratification raises the question of the legality of the supply of weapons from the French army reserves to Ukraine for use against Russia, with which our country is not at war,” the letter states.
The correspondence also drew attention to President Emmanuel Macron's recent comments regarding the possible deployment of troops to Ukraine and the sharing of nuclear capabilities with European allies. The authors maintained that such pivotal decisions necessitate parliamentary debate to ensure their legitimacy.
In remarks on the letter, Jean-Pierre Fabre-Bernadac, head of the Place d’Armes association, informed Sud Radio that the letter reflects increasing public concern about France's involvement in Ukraine.
“Is it a fable? Is there a reality of French troops on Ukrainian soil? This will be clarified by the National Assembly and the Senate,” he asserted. “The army is at the service of the nation. It is not at the service of a man or a regime.” He clarified that while the association did not draft the text, it was created by military professionals, including 26 former army generals.
So far, the leaders of the Senate and National Assembly have not publicly addressed the letter, and mainstream French media coverage has been limited. However, the document has garnered over 14,000 signatures since its publication.
Despite various reports indicating the presence of Western troops in Ukraine, supporters of Kiev have refrained from confirming any official deployments. Russia has consistently opposed the presence of Western forces in the combat zone, warning that such actions would constitute direct involvement in the conflict.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
In a letter directed to the leaders of both houses of Parliament, these former officers urged lawmakers to engage in a formal debate concerning military support and the ongoing deployment of French troops aiding Ukraine's war efforts.
The correspondence, titled the ‘Citizen Resolution,’ was made public earlier this week on Place d’Armes, a platform designed for current and former military personnel to share their perspectives on national policy. It also contained a public appeal for citizens to sign the resolution in support.
The signatories contended that France's military involvement in Ukraine, conducted without a parliamentary mandate, and the delivery of arms without public debate, breach the French Constitution and Criminal Code. They asserted that since 2022, there has been insufficient communication to Parliament about the potential presence of French troops in Ukraine, despite the legal requirement to inform lawmakers of any "military intervention."
The letter called on Parliament to disclose “all information” regarding troop presence in the Journal Officiel, the official gazette of France, and to “organize a debate with a vote on the continuation of this intervention” within 15 days of receiving the letter.
Additionally, the document indicated that the French-Ukrainian security pact, which was signed last year and involves €3 billion in aid alongside multi-year military support, has yet to be ratified by Parliament. This is significant as the Constitution mandates parliamentary ratification for treaties with substantial financial repercussions for the state.
“The lack of regular parliamentary ratification raises the question of the legality of the supply of weapons from the French army reserves to Ukraine for use against Russia, with which our country is not at war,” the letter states.
The correspondence also drew attention to President Emmanuel Macron's recent comments regarding the possible deployment of troops to Ukraine and the sharing of nuclear capabilities with European allies. The authors maintained that such pivotal decisions necessitate parliamentary debate to ensure their legitimacy.
In remarks on the letter, Jean-Pierre Fabre-Bernadac, head of the Place d’Armes association, informed Sud Radio that the letter reflects increasing public concern about France's involvement in Ukraine.
“Is it a fable? Is there a reality of French troops on Ukrainian soil? This will be clarified by the National Assembly and the Senate,” he asserted. “The army is at the service of the nation. It is not at the service of a man or a regime.” He clarified that while the association did not draft the text, it was created by military professionals, including 26 former army generals.
So far, the leaders of the Senate and National Assembly have not publicly addressed the letter, and mainstream French media coverage has been limited. However, the document has garnered over 14,000 signatures since its publication.
Despite various reports indicating the presence of Western troops in Ukraine, supporters of Kiev have refrained from confirming any official deployments. Russia has consistently opposed the presence of Western forces in the combat zone, warning that such actions would constitute direct involvement in the conflict.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
