France Reverses Ukraine Troop Threat

On Monday President Emmanuel Macron raised the prospect of sending ground troops into Ukraine following a European leaders’ meeting on boosting support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Germany, Poland and NATO have ruled out sending ground troops to Ukraine, as the Kremlin warned such a move would mark a major escalation and result in direct conflict between Russia and the Western security alliance.

With Macron increasingly looking isolated, his government subsequently sought to clarify his comments.

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said on Tuesday the president had in mind sending troops for specific tasks such as helping with mine clearance, production of weapons on site, and cyber-defence.

“[This] could require a [military] presence on Ukrainian territory, without crossing the threshold of fighting,” Sejourne told French lawmakers.

“It’s not sending troops to wage war against Russia,” the minister said.