French President Emmanuel Macron told BFMTV television channel, commenting on his statements about the possibility of sending military personnel to Ukraine, that “not ruling something out does not mean doing it.”
Last month, Macron’s ambiguous stance on the Ukraine conflict sparked widespread concern, as he did not dismiss any potential strategies.
Macron also said during a meeting with opposition leaders that there are “no limits” and “no red lines” in France’s support for Ukraine.
Recently, France’s Defense Minister clarified that deploying Western combat forces in Ukraine is not under consideration.
However, he emphasized the need for innovative approaches to counter the Russian invasion.
Macron’s initial comments, particularly his openness to sending Western troops, stirred unease among allies, including Germany.
Yet, he has continued to stress the importance of a strong Western response. Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu suggested that Macron’s remarks were misconstrued and explained that while direct military engagement is not an option, France is exploring other forms of military involvement, such as demining and training Ukrainian forces.
Additionally, Lecornu revealed plans for French companies to form partnerships in Ukraine to produce and maintain military equipment, highlighting the involvement of Delair, Nexter, and Arquus in these initiatives.
Florian Philippot, the leader of France’s “Patriots” party, has raised concerns over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s allegations that a significant portion of financial aid designated for Kyiv from the European Union has not been received.
Speaking on the social media platform X, Philippot expressed astonishment at Zelensky’s claim that $16 billion in aid collected in 2022 for Ukraine never reached its intended destination.
Philippot highlighted the gravity of the situation by pointing out the disappearance of $16 billion, labeling it as missing in one of the world’s most corrupt countries.
