Macron reiterates he does not rule out sending Western troops to Ukraine

(Patria) - French President Emmanuel Macron said the question of sending Western troops to Ukraine would be "legitimately" raised if Russia breaks through Ukrainian front lines and Kyiv makes such a request, reports RSE.

In an interview published yesterday in "The Economist" magazine, Macron reinforced his recent statements that he does not rule out sending troops to Ukraine, which caused shock in Europe and unsettled allies, including Germany. Most of France's allies have said they will not send any forces.

"The Economist" stated that Macron gave the interview after his speech last week, in which he declared that Europe could "die" partly due to the threat posed by Russian aggression following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

- Absolutely. I rule nothing out, because we are facing someone who rules nothing out - Macron replied when asked if he stood by his earlier statements.

He stressed that if Russia decides to go further, "we will all have to ask ourselves the question about sending troops in any case," and Macron described his refusal to rule out such a move as a "strategic wake-up call" to his colleagues.

Macron's reiteration of his stance on sending troops came as some analysts believe Russia could be on the verge of launching a new major offensive in Ukraine.

Russia announced yesterday that it had captured another village in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have been advancing for days.

Macron described Russia under President Vladimir Putin as a "force of regional destabilization" and a "threat to the security of Europeans".

- I have a clear strategic objective: Russia cannot win in Ukraine. If Russia wins in Ukraine, there will be no security in Europe.

Who can pretend that Russia will stop there? What security will there be for other neighboring countries - Moldova, Romania, Poland, Lithuania, and others - Macron asked.

He nevertheless suggested that Russia's war machine is not sustainable in the long term.

- Dedicating a third of its budget to defense is not sustainable for a country whose GDP is lower than that of France, Germany, or the United Kingdom - Macron claims.

Confirming his earlier mantra that Europe must reduce its defense dependence on the US, Macron stated that Europe needs a "credible strategic concept of common defense," adding that "nuclear weapons must be included in the debate."