French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed his stance on the potential deployment of troops to Ukraine, despite facing criticism from some NATO allies. Macron, speaking during a visit to inspect the 2024 Olympics village near Paris, emphasized that his remarks were carefully considered.
Defending his position, Macron asserted, “Every word I utter on this matter is weighed, considered, and deliberate.” The controversy erupted following Macron’s remarks made after hosting a meeting of European leaders in Paris earlier in the week. He stressed the imperative for the West to prevent Russia from gaining an advantage in the conflict, stating that the possibility of NATO and other Western countries sending troops to Ukraine couldn’t be dismissed.
While acknowledging the absence of a current consensus on official troop deployment, Macron underscored the need for dynamic responses, asserting, “We will do whatever it takes to thwart Russia’s advances in this war.” NATO members, including the US, the UK, and Germany, swiftly distanced themselves from Macron’s suggestion, denying any plans for troop deployment.
However, some NATO allies, such as Estonia and Lithuania, expressed support for Macron’s stance. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas argued for keeping all options on the table, emphasizing the importance of aiding Ukraine in the conflict.
In response to Macron’s comments, Moscow condemned any potential escalation by the US-led bloc. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that the deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine could lead to an inevitable direct confrontation between the alliance and Russia.
