Aid for Ukraine

Macron: Deployment of ground troops “possible”

(Bild: APA/AFP/OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE)

French President Emmanuel Macron is no longer ruling out the deployment of ground troops by his country to support Ukraine in its defensive struggle against Russia. Nothing can be ruled out in the future course of the war, Macron said after the conclusion of the Ukraine aid conference in Paris on Monday night. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal also agreed with this.

At the meeting of over 20 heads of state and government, there was "no consensus" to officially deploy ground troops, explained the French President. "But nothing can be ruled out in the dynamic. We will do everything necessary to ensure that Russia cannot win this war."

"Anything is possible if it is helpful"
Many people who say "never, never" today are the same people who said "never, never tanks, never, never planes, never, never longer-range missiles" two years ago. Today, the discussion is about becoming faster and stronger in the delivery of tanks and missiles. "So anything is possible if it is helpful in achieving our goal," said the French President. Each country could decide independently and sovereignly on the deployment of ground troops.

Ukrainian and French soldiers train together in a camp in France in November 2023.

(Bild: APA/AFP/OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE)

"Nothing can be ruled out in a war (...) in the heart of Europe", Prime Minister Attal told RTL radio on Tuesday. Two years ago, many countries would have ruled out supplying weapons to Ukraine, Attal said. "Today we are in the process of sending long-range missiles to support the Ukrainians against this aggression."

Before leaving for the Paris meeting, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico had warned of a "dangerous escalation of tensions" with Russia. Individual countries, which he did not wish to name, were apparently prepared to send their own soldiers directly to Ukraine. However, this would not persuade Russia to give in, but would certainly increase the risk of the conflict escalating.

The more NATO states become involved in the conflict, the more uncertain the situation becomes for all of us.

Bundeskanzler Karl Nehammer (ÖVP)

Nehammer was also concerned about the involvement of Western soldiers. When asked by APA about the fact that Czech President Petr Pavel had allowed 20 Czechs to fight in the Ukrainian army, Nehammer said that he viewed any escalation of the war with concern. "The more NATO states become involved in the conflict, the more insecure the situation becomes for all of us."

Deployment of missiles with greater range
At the meeting, it was decided to form a coalition to supply Ukraine with medium and longer-range missiles and bombs for strikes far behind Russian lines, said the French President. In the short term, additional ammunition should also be mobilized for Ukraine from its own stocks and from third countries.

According to Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, around 15 countries have signaled their interest in his country's ammunition initiative. The Czech Republic is leading the initiative to raise money for the rapid purchase of artillery ammunition from third countries for Ukraine. The Netherlands wants to contribute 100 million euros to the initiative, as announced by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Paris.

Cyber defense and mine clearance
Among other things, initiatives have been agreed on cyber defense, the co-production of weapons, military capabilities and ammunition in Ukraine as well as the defense of countries directly threatened by the Russian offensive in Ukraine, in particular Moldova, explained Macron. Macron also said that the aim was to support Ukraine on its border with Belarus with non-military forces. It was also about defusing mines.

The delivery of French Mirage fighter jets has not yet been decided. However, Macron, who plans to travel to Kiev himself by mid-March, said that French military equipment that could help Ukraine was still being examined.

Emmanuel Macron hosted the Ukraine summit at the Elysee Palace.

(Bild: APA/AFP/POOL/GONZALO FUENTES)

Joint debts to finance armaments?
At the conference, it was decided in principle to provide more aid to Ukraine more quickly, said Macron. France also supports the idea of using joint debt to finance European arms expenditure in view of the war in Ukraine. Similar to the coronavirus crisis, all European countries are affected by Russia's aggression, which justifies the special approach of joint debt.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who joined the conference organized at short notice with a video message, had called for further help to prevent Russia from expanding its aggression to other countries. On Monday, he complained that promised arms deliveries were arriving too late.