Egypt Daily News – French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the proposed European armed force, which could potentially be deployed in Ukraine alongside a possible peace agreement, could “respond” to any Russian attack if Moscow were to strike again.
Macron made these comments following talks with Ukrainian President Zelensky and ahead of a summit in Paris on Thursday with about 30 countries to discuss the proposed force for Ukraine, which Macron suggested could be deployed in “key cities” and other strategic locations.
He said, “If there is another full-scale aggression against Ukrainian territory, these forces will, in fact, be attacked, and that is when our usual approach will apply.” He added, “Our soldiers, when they engage in combat and are deployed, will be present to respond and act according to the decisions of the commander-in-chief, and if they are in a state of conflict, they will respond.”
Macron, together with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is leading efforts to build a coalition of nations willing, in one way or another, to support the deployment of an armed force in Ukraine, with the aim of ensuring lasting peace by deterring Russia from attacking the country again.
He noted that the proposed European forces would not be stationed at the front lines in Ukraine: “They will not engage with Russian forces from day one.” He added that the forces would “serve as a deterrent to Russia launching a new attack. By controlling key cities and strategic bases, they would highlight the clear support from numerous European governments and allies.”
He continued: “So, we are not on the front lines, we are not involved in combat, but we are there to ensure lasting peace. It is a peaceful approach… the only ones who could spark, at that moment, a conflict or a wartime situation would be the Russians if they decide to launch aggression again.”
The Trump administration did not publicly express enthusiasm for discussions around sending forces to Ukraine after a ceasefire, to help cement peace. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, rejected the idea of a European deployment or even its necessity. He said in an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, “It’s a mix of posturing and pretense, a mix of oversimplification.”
This is not the prevailing view in Europe. The shared assumption underpinning the alliance is that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine, from the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 to the full-scale invasion in 2022, which sparked an all-out war, show that he cannot be trusted, and that a European force could help deter further aggression.
Both Ukrainian President Zelensky and Macron indicated that the presence of a foreign force in Ukraine could also provide military training, something that allies are already doing outside of Ukraine. More than 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers are being prepared for battle against the larger and expanding Russian army, helping to offset some of Ukraine’s losses after over three years of intense fighting.
Zelensky clarified in a press conference on Wednesday with Macron, “Primarily, any force consists of combat units, but it aims above all to control and monitor the situation, conduct joint training, and prevent any desire from Russia to return with new waves of aggression.”
European officials stated that in any peace agreement scenario, the Ukrainian army will remain the first line of defense against any future Russian aggression.
The European Union, comprising 27 countries, continues to implement what is called the “Steel Hedgehog Strategy,” which aims to make Ukraine more difficult for Russia by strengthening its armed forces and defense industry. The UK has also pledged to continue providing military aid to Ukraine to ensure it can continue to fight in case peace talks fail or ceasefire collapses.
Macron announced a new package of defense and military aid for Ukraine, worth 2 billion euros, which will include light tanks, air defense systems, anti-tank missiles, and other weapons and support.
The set of potential options being considered by military leaders and European planners includes a variety of scenarios prepared for government leaders to review and ultimately approve.
A French official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to closed-door discussions, said that one potential option being pushed by France is the deployment of a large force by coalition members in central Ukraine, somewhere along the Dnieper River, away from the front lines.
The official added that other options being studied include deploying support forces farther from the front lines, in western Ukraine or in a neighboring country.
British officials said the force could consist of between 10,000 and 30,000 soldiers, which would be a significant effort for countries that have reduced their military forces since the Cold War but are now rearming.
