(ConservativeSense.com) – Russia has confirmed it will attack French troops if Emmanuel Macron deploys them to Ukraine, as he has hinted. Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that “no instructor involved in training the Ukrainian military has immunity,” adding that it is irrelevant what nationality those trainers may be.
Peskov’s comments reiterate those of Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova earlier in May. She called on Macron to explain himself and accused him of trying to create “strategic uncertainty” for Moscow. She warned, however, that from Russia’s perspective, there is no ambiguity – if France sends troops, Russia will target them.
French President Macron firmly believes that Russia’s Vladimir Putin intends to invade and conquer large chunks of Eastern Europe and that the war in Ukraine has significant implications for European safety more broadly. Macron has signaled, however, that he would prefer troop deployment from a coalition of European partners rather than from France alone.
In late May, French journalists reported comments from Ukraine’s top commander, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, saying he had signed documents to make the French deployment official, and the first troops were ready to travel to his country to “familiarize themselves” with Ukrainian forces and terrain. The French military’s mission is to train Ukrainian soldiers only, but some have expressed concern that Macron eventually intends to go further and engage in warfare with Russia – a prospect thought more likely should Russia attack French soldiers.
Germany openly disagrees with Macron’s position, prompting French officials to accuse the Germans of insufficient concern. However, at a recent joint press conference, President Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz displayed common ground when they agreed that Western weapons should be used by Ukrainian forces against Russia. Macron questioned the legitimacy of telling Kyiv not to respond to attacks from Russian territory, saying Ukrainian troops should be able to launch defensive strikes against attack sources.
Mr. Macron has repeatedly stated that no options are off the table in the war against Moscow.
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