(Dan Tri) – French President Emmanuel Macron continues to comment on his statement that the West `cannot rule out` the possibility of deploying troops in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron (Photo: Reuters).
`Currently, the only way to achieve peace is to stop the aggressor. The aggressor must agree to lay down arms,` President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with TF1 channel on March 8.
When asked if he would `not rule out` deploying Western troops to Ukraine, Mr. Macron said: `Not ruling out something does not mean having to do it.`
President Macron on March 7 convened a meeting with opposition party leaders at the Elysee Palace to discuss France’s support for Ukraine.
However, Mr. Macron made it clear that there would be `no limit` to France’s support for Ukraine and that he considered it not an escalation of tensions but a `proportionate response` by Paris to the actions.
Mr. Macron’s recent statements have attracted attention.
Immediately, Moscow warned that if the West sent troops into Ukraine, it would be considered a declaration of war against Russia and could lead to a nuclear conflict.
Mr. Macron’s latest statement also received the attention of Moscow.
Many Western allies later announced they had no plans to deploy military force in Ukraine.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on March 8 that discussions about NATO deploying troops in Ukraine need to stop because no one really wants that to happen.
`No one really wants to send troops to Ukraine,` Mr. Pistorius said.
Mr. Pistorius argued that what the West needs to do instead is increase supplies of ammunition and equipment to the Ukrainian army.
According to Mr. Pistorius, `Germany is the second largest supporter of Ukraine in the world`, donating 7.5 billion euros ($8.2 billion) this year.
When asked about Germany’s decision not to send Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine, Mr. Pistorius said that would be a step too far.
`We have always emphasized that long-range missiles will not decide that war,` Mr. Pistorius said, confirming Prime Minister Olaf Scholz had said `there is a decisive line that we will never cross
Russia has repeatedly declared its willingness to negotiate, but on the condition that Ukraine must acknowledge `new territorial realities`.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials announced that peace talks will only take place when Russia withdraws all troops from Ukrainian territory, including Crimea.
