French President Macron Considers Sending Western Troops to Ukraine and Dropping Opposition to Emergency Artillery Supplies
French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his willingness to send western troops to Ukraine and drop opposition to emergency artillery supplies for the country. Macron made these statements during a meeting of 25 European leaders in Paris, where they discussed the need to support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. Macron emphasized the importance of ensuring Europe’s collective security by defeating Russia.
Macron stated, “We will do everything needed so Russia cannot win the war.” When asked about the possibility of sending western troops to Ukraine, he replied, “There’s no consensus today to send in an official manner troops on the ground. But in terms of options, nothing can be ruled out.” Although he did not provide details on which countries were considering this step, it is clear that the idea was discussed at the conference.
The Kremlin has warned that a conflict between Russia and NATO would be inevitable if western troops were deployed in Ukraine. Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, stated, “In that case, it wouldn’t be likely, but inevitable. That’s how we assess it.” Peskov also urged NATO countries to consider whether such a move would be in their best interests.
In addition to discussing troop deployment, the leaders agreed to establish a coalition of countries that would explore providing Ukraine with long-range missiles and bombs. France and the UK have already donated cruise missiles, and similar coalitions have been formed for artillery, air defense, and maritime warfare.
The decision to take a more aggressive stance comes as Ukraine seeks increased support from the West to counter Russian attacks. European countries are concerned about the potential reduction in US support under former President Donald Trump and the weakening of America’s defense pact with Europe. There is also a growing sense that Russia poses a broader threat beyond Ukraine and could potentially invade NATO member states in Eastern Europe.
Macron voiced these concerns at the conference, stating, “More or less all the countries represented around this table have said that the common consensus was that we should be ready in a few years’ time for Russia to attack these countries.” However, some EU leaders pushed back against Macron’s comments. Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated, “It is not at all relevant right now. There is no demand from Ukraine’s side for this either.”
The French government’s decision to drop its opposition to emergency artillery supplies is a response to the changing dynamics on the battlefield. Ukrainian forces have started rationing the use of artillery due to limited supplies from the West. US aid is delayed due to congressional infighting, and European arms manufacturers are unable to meet the demand quickly enough.
Macron announced that France would join an initiative led by the Czech Republic to make emergency purchases of artillery shells for Ukraine from non-EU countries. This policy shift indicates that France is willing to use shared EU funds to buy artillery from suppliers outside the bloc, unlocking additional financial resources. Previously, France insisted that EU funds be invested in European defense production. However, decisions on spending shared EU funds on weaponry require unanimity among member states.
Acknowledging the shortage of munitions in Europe, Macron stated, “We will mobilize bilateral financing as well as multilateral.” The Czech Republic has identified approximately 800,000 artillery shells that could be immediately purchased from outside the EU and has offered to acquire and deliver them to Ukraine if funding can be secured. The Czechs are seeking up to $1.5 billion for this initiative and have approached Brussels officials to inquire about contributing unspent EU funds earmarked for artillery purchases. However, they were rebuffed due to France’s previous objections.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala of the Czech Republic revealed that about 15 countries have shown interest in contributing to the initiative. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte confirmed that the Netherlands would contribute €100 million to the proposal and expressed hope that other countries would follow suit.
The discussions and decisions made at the conference reflect a growing determination among European leaders to support Ukraine and counter the threat posed by Russia. While there are differing opinions on the best course of action, there is a shared recognition of the need to bolster Ukraine’s defenses and prevent further Russian aggression. The willingness to consider troop deployment and increase emergency artillery supplies demonstrates a united front in the face of a common challenge.