French president Macron raised the prospect of Western troops in Ukraine. What was he thinking?
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. There was no consensus to send troops in an official, endorsed manner on the ground, Macron said, “but in terms of dynamics, nothing can be ruled out.” The exact signal Macron was trying to send remains unclear, but “it wasn't said by accident,” said Phillips O’Brien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. The foreign minister, Stéphane Séjourné, said this type of military presence wouldn't be “crossing the belligerence threshold.” A French diplomat with knowledge of the Paris talks said the goal was also “to send a signal to President Putin that this is now an option and that he cannot simply count on the fact that none of Ukraine’s partner countries will ever be deployed” there. He said in June 2022 that the Russian president made a “historic error” but that world powers shouldn’t “humiliate Russia, so that when the fighting stops, we can build a way out together via diplomatic paths.” The remark drew strong criticism from Ukraine and many of France's allies. "It gives the impression that ventured out as mavericks, with the risk of being misunderstood.” Russia seen as an aggressive foe In presenting his case, Macron raised concerns over Russia “getting tougher in recent months.” He cited the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the repression of Russia's political opposition and the ferocity of combat along the front line in Ukraine.