"Every word I say is well thought out": Macron says he was serious about NATO troops in Ukraine
Meanwhile, the French government said that the president meant sending troops without "crossing the threshold of war"
French President Emmanuel Macron has told reporters that his statement about the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine was well thought out and serious.
Earlier in the week, Macron did not rule out the possibility that NATO troops might be sent to help Kyiv. These words provoked a sharp reaction from Western politicians. Representatives of the leading Western powers, including the United States and Germany, said they had no plans to send troops to the Ukrainian front.
"These are all very serious issues, every word I say about this problem is balanced, thoughtful and proportionate," the French president told reporters.
He declined to comment further.
Shortly after Macron's statements, the French Defence Minister and Foreign Minister said that the French leader was referring to sending troops without "crossing the threshold of war", meaning that Western troops could be engaged in training the Ukrainian Armed Forces, medical assistance or cyber security.
Background. Macron has found someone who supports his idea of sending NATO troops to Ukraine: the former chairman of the Munich Security Conference warned the West against "excessive deterrence".