Yesterday at 20:06
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that a Franco-British mission will be sent to Ukraine to work on strengthening the Ukrainian army.
Speaking at a press conference after the “Coalition of the Willing” summit in Paris on Thursday, Macron stated, as quoted by BFMTV, that a “Franco-British team” would be deployed to Ukraine to prepare the framework for “Ukraine’s army of the future.”
“It will work closely with Ukraine to shape all aspects of the future format of the Ukrainian army—in terms of size, the number of soldiers, and the equipment they will use,” Macron said.
He also noted that discussions regarding the potential deployment of so-called “deterrence forces” to Ukraine are ongoing. These forces could serve as a deterrent in the event of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
Macron suggested that these forces could come from “some EU member states” and be stationed in “certain strategic locations” in Ukraine.
Earlier reports indicated that France was considering deploying European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, stationed at a distance from the front lines, with one possible scenario being their positioning along the Dnipro River.
The so-called “Coalition of the Willing,” led by France and the UK, has been working for weeks on a plan to send thousands of troops to Ukraine to guarantee a future ceasefire.
However, sources in European diplomatic circles told Reuters that doubts are growing over the feasibility of this plan due to logistical challenges, a shortage of available troops, resistance from Russia, and a lack of security guarantees from the United States.
Other important statements by the French President:
- Macron will talk to Trump again in the coming hours.
- In three weeks, partner countries will prepare proposals for monitoring compliance with the ceasefire in Ukraine.
- Deterrent forces of several countries will operate in Ukraine. Russia will not decide this.
- Now is not the time to lift sanctions against Russia, since before this happens, there must be a final peace settlement.
- Starting next week, our diplomatic advisers will monitor the implementation of the decisions made today.
- European deterrent forces will not be deployed along the front line in Ukraine. They can be deployed in the center of the country, along the Dnipro River.
- The countries participating in the “coalition of the willing” agreed to maintain and increase pressure on the aggressor, including on Russia’s shadow fleet.
Read also: U.S. Treasury Says Mineral Resources Agreement Could Be Signed Next Week
