As the conflict in Ukraine enters a new phase of escalation, discussions on sending Western troops and private defense companies to Ukrainian soil have been reactivated, it has been learned The World from consistent sources. Sensitive debates, essentially classified, but well and truly relaunched, particularly in the perspective of a possible American disengagement from support for kyiv, after Donald Trump takes office in the United States on January 20, 2025.
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The debate over sending « troupes » in Ukraine, initiated with a bang by the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, during a meeting between kyiv’s allies in Paris in February, had aroused strong opposition from certain European countries, led by Germany. This scenario has not been buried yet. It has even regained strength in recent weeks, according to our information, notably thanks to the visit to France of the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, during the ceremonies of November 11.
“Discussions are ongoing between the UK 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,” confided in recent days to Mondea British military source.
“Don’t set red lines »
Comments consistent with those made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, visiting London on November 22. In an interview with the BBC on November 23, he called on Western allies to “not fixing and expressing red lines” regarding their support for Ukraine. Also asked about the possibility of sending French troops on the ground, he declared: “We are not ruling out any option. »
On the Ministry of the Armed Forces side and at the Elysée, there is no official green light, for the moment, to the sending of conventional troops or private service providers. But, for several months, proposals have clearly been on the table. Like that of the company Défense Conseil International (DCI), the main operator of the Ministry of the Armed Forces for monitoring French arms export contracts and the transfer of related military know-how. And in which the State is a 55% shareholder.
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Made up of 80% former military personnel, DCI would be ready to continue training Ukrainian soldiers in Ukraine, as it already does in France and Poland. It could also, if necessary, ensure the maintenance of French military equipment sent to kyiv. DCI was approached in this sense by Babcock, its British equivalent already present in Ukraine, to share the influence that the latter has there. In May 2024, Babcock announced that work was ” in progress “ to create a technical support site for Ukraine, “including the repair and overhaul of military vehicles”, is written in its 2024 annual report.
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