France is keeping its options open regarding military support for Ukraine, as stated by Benjamin Haddad, the French minister for European affairs. Since the outbreak of war, France, alongside NATO allies, has trained over 100,000 Ukrainian troops. In February, President Emmanuel Macron noted that while there wasn’t a consensus on deploying ground troops, “nothing was excluded.”
According to Le Monde, there are discussions about sending French instructors to further assist Ukraine’s military training, based on an agreement with General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s top commander.
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During an interview, Haddad was questioned about France’s stance on military assistance for Ukraine amidst ongoing debates on the use of Western weapons for strikes deep inside Russia. He reaffirmed Macron’s position, stating, “we cannot rule anything out, particularly regarding training missions.”
When asked if this meant that sending French ground troops remains a viable option, Haddad responded affirmatively, acknowledging that it is indeed a “serious option.” He emphasized France’s belief that Ukraine needs the means to defend itself, noting that “the only country that has chosen to escalate since February 24, 2022 is Russia.”
Haddad stated, “Russia has closed the door to diplomacy,” leading to Macron’s call for a more flexible approach. Macron has advocated for Ukraine to be empowered to strike military bases inside Russia using advanced long-range weaponry.
In his recent address to the United Nations, Macron condemned Russia’s “war of territorial conquest in Ukraine” and stressed the importance of restoring Ukraine’s legitimate rights swiftly to achieve a just and lasting peace.
Additionally, NATO’s new chief, Mark Rutte, has voiced strong support for Ukraine, placing it at the top of his agenda. He emphasized the necessity for Ukraine to remain a sovereign, independent, democratic nation.