France clarifies President Macron’s openness to potentially sending troops to Ukraine.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has affirmed President Emmanuel Macron's remarks regarding the potential deployment of French forces to Ukraine, offering further insights into the objectives behind such a move, Militarnyi reports. Addressing the Senate, Attal clarified that the deployment would focus on non-combat support roles rather than frontline engagement.
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French Prime Minister Attal specified that French military involvement in Ukraine would likely encompass training Ukrainian forces, bolstering air defense capabilities, and securing sections of the border (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The rationale behind supporting Ukraine, as outlined by Attal, is to safeguard the European Union and France's security. He emphasized the significance of Ukraine's fight for territorial integrity, not only for its own sake but also as a bulwark for the security of the European Union and France against authoritarian threats. "The battle fought by Ukraine is also our battle," Attal stated, highlighting the risks of a weakened Ukraine to the stability of Europe's eastern borders.

Attal specified that French military involvement in Ukraine would likely encompass training Ukrainian forces, bolstering air defense capabilities, and securing sections of the border. He pointed out that while troop deployment is under consideration, the primary focus of EU member states remains the provision of arms and equipment to Ukraine.

Additionally, French Senator Cédric Perrin underscored the importance of coordinating such decisions with NATO allies to maintain strategic coherence and avoid undermining France's international standing. Perrin cautioned against unilateral actions that could isolate France from its allies.

This dialogue follows President Macron's acknowledgment of the possibility of sending French military assets to Ukraine, stressing the absence of immediate plans but recognizing the strategic value of maintaining ambiguity in their posture towards Russia. This approach aims to convey to Russia the West's readiness to escalate its support for Ukraine if necessary.

Defense News March 2024