French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that military delegations from his country and Britain will go to Ukraine to work with the Ukrainian army.
At a summit of European leaders in Paris on March 27, the French president said:
“We have decided that the British Prime Minister and I will authorise the chiefs of staff of our armies so that a Franco-British team can head to Ukraine in the coming days.”
Their task is to work closely with the Ukrainian military to prepare the format of the army of the future, Macron added.
How Ukraine’s allies see a peace settlement
On the eve of the summit, the French president held separate talks with Zelensky. Following their results, Macron said he welcomed all initiatives aimed at ending the conflict, including Trump’s proposal. The French leader also believes that Russia still demonstrates a “desire for war” despite attempts to secure a ceasefire.
“Ukraine has clearly expressed to the United States its agreement to a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, even though it is a victim of aggression. We expect the same commitment from Russia.”
Starmer expressed a similar view upon his arrival at the summit. The British premier said:
“Unlike Zelensky, Putin has shown that he is not serious about these peace talks. He is playing games with the agreed ceasefire in the Black Sea, despite the good faith involvement of all parties, while continuing to launch devastating attacks on the people of Ukraine. His promises are empty.”
At the final press conference, Macron said the summit participants agreed to instruct the foreign ministers of the “Coalition of the willing” countries to prepare proposals for monitoring the ceasefire within three weeks. The French leader announced his intention to send so-called deterrent forces to the republic in case of a peace agreement. He clarified that this is not a “peacekeeping mission” and the contingent will not be located on the line of contact. He also added:
“They will provide long-term support and act as a deterrent against potential Russian aggression.”
Macron did not specify which countries would take part in the mission, confirming only that France and Britain would take over its coordination. “The force will cover sea, air and land and will be part of a wider security package. It is not for Russia to decide whether there will be a deterrent force in Ukraine,” Macron concluded.
Macron also noted that the mission needs American support, but the Europeans are also ready to prepare it without Washington’s involvement.
Zelensky said at a press conference after the summit that France and Germany would represent the EU at potential talks on a peace settlement in Ukraine. According to him, this is the common position of all European leaders. Commenting on the possibility of deploying a European contingent in Ukraine, Zelensky admitted that there are not enough specifics so far:
“There are many proposals from the leaders, and there are more of them. As for the actions, the modality of this contingent, what it can do, how to use it, who will manage it – there are many questions. Few answers.”
Starmer later explained that the European mission would rely on the strength of the Ukrainian army “to send a message to Putin that this deal is secure.” However, the British prime minister noted that for now the idea of sending troops is only at the development stage. He also emphasised that the decision to send the British military to Ukraine would have to be agreed by the kingdom’s parliament.
In order to strengthen Kyiv’s position ahead of potential negotiations, European powers are also planning to deepen defence co-operation with Ukraine. According to Macron, a French-British group of military commanders will travel to Kyiv in the coming days to “develop the format of the future Ukrainian army.”
The French president also said that participants in the Paris summit had agreed to speed up the loans to Kyiv that had been agreed by the G7.
Separately, the “Coalition of the willing” discussed the possibility of lifting sanctions on Russia. According to Macron, all the participating countries agreed that the time for the cancellation of restrictions, “whatever they may be,” has not yet come. A day earlier, the French leader said sanctions could only be lifted when Russia returns to Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders.
“There is no point in lifting sanctions until peace is achieved,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in Paris. Starmer called that position one of the main outcomes of the meeting.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in Paris that the kingdom would continue to “strengthen Ukraine’s position” by accelerating its rearmament. After the summit, he also announced the launch of “the largest rearmament plan for the Swedish army since the Cold War,” which aims to increase defence spending to nearly 3.5% of GDP by 2030.
Extra money for Kyiv
During a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, Macron expressed Paris’ commitment to military support for Kyiv. He also said that France would allocate an additional €2 billion to Ukraine for defence spending.
According to Macron, the funds will go towards Milan anti-tank missiles, MICA missiles for French Mirage aircraft, and Mistral anti-aircraft missiles. The AFU will also receive VAB armoured personnel carriers, AMX-10 RC armoured vehicles and a large amount of ammunition of various types.
Voice from Europe
However, many European politicians oppose Paris’ open intervention in the Ukrainian conflict.
Italian journalist and activist Maurizio Belpietro wrote on X:
“No one wants to send troops to Ukraine except the French President and the British Prime Minister, who are trying to make people forget their failures at home. But they are the parties involved in this war and the Russians will never give the go-ahead for an expedition.”
Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, leader of the party Debout la France (France Arise), has made his point:
“Enough is enough. Our hospitals have no more money, bandages are running out, and Macron is throwing another 2 billion out the window to sabotage peace and foment corruption in Ukraine. Enough is enough!”
Nicolas Dupont-Aignan also wrote:
“Macron announces another 2 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine to bring the total aid since the start of the conflict to 17 billion euros. Think of the hospitals and universities the money could be invested in. While peace is being negotiated, Macron is fanning the embers to provoke perpetual conflict.”
