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French President Emmanuel Macron (centre right) speaks at the Elysée Palace on Monday, February 26, 2024 in Paris. (Gonzalo Fuentes, pool photo, via AP)
PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine in the future is “not ruled out.”
President Macron spoke after a conference on Ukraine in Paris attended by more than 20 European heads of state and government and other Western officials.
“Today, there is no consensus to send troops on the ground in a formal way. But in terms of power relations, nothing can be ruled out,” Macron said.
President Macron did not provide details about which countries were considering sending troops.
“We will do everything necessary to ensure that Russia does not win the war,” he added.
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French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday urged European leaders to ensure collective security by providing unwavering support to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s escalating offensive on the battlefield in recent months. He said it was necessary.
President Macron welcomed 20 European and government leaders and other Western officials in Paris to show solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s full-scale invasion. We are in the process of securing guarantees.” I’m entering my third year.
President Macron said at a meeting at the presidential palace, which was also attended by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Polish President Andrzej Duda, and leaders of the three Baltic states, “Russia cannot win that war, and we cannot win it.” No,” he said.
“Especially in recent months, we have seen Russia become more assertive,” Macron said. “We also know that Russia is preparing new attacks specifically to shock public opinion in Ukraine.”
President Macron said security needs to be strengthened to prevent Russian attacks on further countries in the future. Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and even the much larger Poland are being considered as possible targets for future Russian expansionism. All four countries are ardent supporters of Ukraine.
Estonia’s foreign minister said earlier this month that NATO has about three to four years to strengthen its defenses.
In a video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged leaders gathered in Paris to “ensure that President Putin does not destroy our achievements or expand his aggression against other countries.” I called out.
A senior French official said the purpose of the meeting was not to make new commitments on arms or financial aid, but rather to better coordinate aid to Kiev and ensure aid commitments were kept. Stated. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the details and goals of the meeting.
At the Paris conference, the United States was represented by James O’Brien, its top diplomat for Europe, and the United Kingdom was represented by Foreign Secretary David Cameron.
As aid to Kiev vacillates in Congress, European countries worry that the United States will reduce aid. They also fear that former US President Donald Trump could return to the White House and change the direction of US policy on the continent.
The Paris meeting comes after France, Germany and Britain recently signed a 10-year bilateral agreement with Ukraine to send a strong signal of long-term support as Kiev seeks to shore up Western support. It was held at
Associated Press writer Jon Lester contributed to this report.
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