The US has firmly denied French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal of deploying Western troops to engage in ground combat in Ukraine.
Following Macron’s controversial statement, he faced backlash for not ruling out the possibility of sending Western forces.
The White House spokesman emphasized that France, as a sovereign nation and a member of NATO, has the authority to decide independently on sending troops to Ukraine.
But he mentioned that the only US military personnel in Ukraine are associated with the embassy…The president has been unequivocal. We won’t have US troops on the ground.
Kirby mentioned that the US military personnel at the embassy in Kyiv were engaged in crucial efforts regarding the accountability of weapons provided to Ukraine.
After Macron’s initial remarks, French officials clarified that he was discussing the potential deployment of troops for demining, arms production, or cyber operations, rather than combat.
Kirby stated that US troops would not be deployed for any of those reasons.
Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, was questioned about the possibility of the US deploying troops for training and other purposes.
According to him, the Biden administration was against sending troops to Ukraine.
We have no plans to deploy troops in Ukraine. “The president has been very clear,” Miller stated.
Both the White House and State Department emphasized the importance of Congress approving new military aid to Ukraine.
Macron Considers European Troop Deployment in Ukraine Crisis
Macron mentioned that European nations are considering the possibility of deploying troops.
According to him, all options should be considered as the West searches for a plan to address Russia’s control of nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s recognized territory.
Macron emphasized the importance of preventing Russia from winning.
When asked about Macron’s remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized the significance of discussing the potential deployment of troops to Ukraine from NATO countries.
When questioned about the potential consequences of NATO members deploying troops to Ukraine, Peskov emphasized that it would not be a matter of possibility, but rather an unavoidable outcome.
Peskov questioned whether such a scenario would truly benefit the Western countries and their citizens.
The conflict in Ukraine has sparked a significant crisis in Russia’s relationship with Western countries, reminiscent of the tension during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
President Vladimir Putin has cautioned about the risks involved in a direct clash between NATO and Russia.
Discussion of a potential conflict between Russia and NATO highlights the risks of escalation as the Western world deals with an increasingly powerful Russia three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union.