From February 2024, Emmanuel Macron “did not rule out” sending ground troops in support of Ukraine, an outcome once again mentioned in May by the President of the Republic, “if the Russians break through the lines head-on.” The idea did not appeal to many people within the European Union; almost all leaders were opposed to this possibility.
“We are not ruling out any option”
Thus, in an article published on November 25, the newspaper “Le Monde” learned that “discussions on sending Western troops and private defense companies to Ukrainian soil have been reactivated”. The question would have been raised during the visit to France by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on the occasion of the November 11 commemorations, adds the French daily.
A position shared by Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, in an interview with the BBC on November 23. Asked about the possibility of French troops participating in the fighting, he declared: “We are not ruling out any option.” The Minister of Foreign Affairs suggested to his allies not to “set and express red lines”.
A British military source confided to the Monde that “discussions are ongoing between the United Kingdom and France regarding defense cooperation, particularly with the aim of creating a core group of allies in Europe, focused on Ukraine and wider European security” .
Private companies
With the United Kingdom having repeatedly indicated that it would not send British combat units, discussions could revolve around private companies. DCI (Defence Conseil International) in cooperation with the British Babcock have already, according to “Le Monde”, offered services to the Ministry of the Armed Forces, even if “there is no official green light, for the moment, to sending conventional troops or private providers. »
France
