The French president called a meeting of European leaders and some North American representatives to step up efforts to support Ukraine.
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French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday evening that he was not ruling out Western troops fighting on the ground in Ukraine, but admitted that at a meeting he himself called of around two dozen European leaders in Paris there was no consensus on this matter.
“There is no consensus on officially supporting the troops on the ground. However, nothing should be ruled out. We will do everything to ensure that Russia does not prevail,” he assured.
It was the first time a discussion was opened about whether states should provide troops to support Ukraine's increasingly weakened army. “Everything was discussed very directly and openly,” assured Macron.
At the end of the meeting, which was also attended by Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa, Macron warned that Russia's position was changing and that Moscow was trying to conquer more territory, looking not only at Ukraine but also at other countries . . “Russia represents a great danger,” emphasized the French president.
The meeting called by Macron was also attended by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Foreign Minister David Cameron, Polish President Andrzej Duda and the Dutch Prime Minister, as well as representatives of the USA and Canada.
In response to Putin's growing threat, the French presidency sought to galvanize Western sentiment and raise awareness of the need to support Ukraine.
Building a European defense pillar
Monday evening's meeting focused on five broad key areas: cyber defense, joint production of ammunition and weapons in Ukraine, defense of countries directly threatened by Russia such as Moldova , strengthening Ukraine's protection on the border with Belarus and demining Ukrainian territory.
According to the international press, Macron argued that defeating Putin's Russia was essential for the peace and security of Europe, stressing that it was necessary to put words into action and make decisions that would build a… States enable the European defense column to be independent of the United States.
Asked about the possibility of continuing to support Ukraine in connection with the presidential elections in the United States of America next November, Macron said that it was not possible to rely on the North American election result. “This is about the future of Europe, so the decision lies with the Europeans. If others want to join in and help, that’s fantastic, but that’s just a bonus,” emphasized Macron.
The French president also insisted that Moscow was the “sole aggressor” and instigator of the war in Ukraine, pointing out that Europe, however, was not at war with the Russian people. “Russia is now clearly compromising our own security through both traditional and hybrid warfare,” he said.
Macron also acknowledged the failure of the European Union, which had promised to deliver one million ammunition to Ukraine, and assured that addressing this shortage was a top priority. He added that European countries have scope to increase production in Europe and also purchase ammunition. Outside the European continent a proposal put forward by the Czechs.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined the meeting via video call and urged people in Paris to ensure that Putin “does not destroy what we have achieved and that he cannot expand his aggression to other nations.”