French president considers deploying Western forces in Ukraine

Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, along with the significantly larger Poland, have been identified as potential targets for Russian expansion in the future

French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside fellow European leaders in Paris on Monday, mentioned that the deployment of Western troops to Ukraine was not off the table. 

Macron stated during a press briefing at the Elysee presidential palace that while there is currently no unanimous agreement on officially sending troops on the ground, all possibilities remain open in terms of potential actions. He emphasized that Europe is committed to taking all necessary steps to prevent Russia from prevailing in the conflict. 

Macron refrained from disclosing specific countries considering troop deployment, citing a preference for maintaining strategic ambiguity. 

The gathering, attended by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Poland’s President Andrzej Duda, and leaders from Baltic nations, known as potential targets for Russian expansionism, who stand firmly in support of Ukraine, saw moments of intense debate. 

Representatives from the U.S., including top European diplomat James O’Brien, and the U.K., represented by Foreign Secretary David Cameron, were also present. 

Duda highlighted that the most contentious topic of discussion revolved around the potential deployment of troops to Ukraine, with no consensus reached on the matter. He stressed varying opinions among attendees, indicating no concrete decisions made. 

Expressing hope for coordinated efforts, Duda emphasized the urgent need to provide significant ammunition shipments to Ukraine promptly. 

In a video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the assembled leaders in Paris to prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from undermining their progress and expanding aggression to other nations. 

Macron announced the formation of a new coalition aimed at mobilizing nations capable of supplying medium and long-range missiles, following France’s recent announcement of delivering 40 additional long-range Scalp cruise missiles. 

The meeting reflects European concerns regarding diminishing U.S. support for Ukraine, exacerbated by anxieties over the potential return of former President Donald Trump to the White House and its implications for U.S. policy in the region. 

The Paris summit follows recent 10-year bilateral agreements signed by France, Germany, and the U.K. with Ukraine, signaling enduring solidarity as Kyiv seeks to strengthen Western backing. 

Source: Newsroom