LOS ANGELES.–French President Emmanuel Macron, 46, drew a strong rebuke from his EU allies for suggesting Monday that the EU should not rule out sending troops to Ukraine, something that would put NATO into a conflict directly with the Kremlin. French Foreign Minister Sephane Sejourne tried to walk back Macrons statements, saying that Macron referred to only a logistical role like defusing landmines, cyber defense or weapons production. But Macron’s words came with a price because he forced the White House to clarify that it would not send U.S. troops or NATO troops into the Ukraine War. “ . . .Thre will be no ground troops, no soldiers on Ukrainian soil sent there by European countries or NATO states,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said today. Macron forced a strong rebuke from all EU and NATO countries that Ukraine would not get boots-on-the-ground.
Macron played fast and loose with the “what if” scenario, saying he would not rule out possible EU or NATO boots-on-the-ground in Ukraine. Scholz made clear to the Kremlin that Macron misspoke and no EU or NATO country would consider such foolishness in escalating the conflict beyond its already destructive borders. Kiev officials, of course, welcomed Macron’s remarks, since Ukraine’s 46-year-old President Volodymyr Zelensky has been begging the U.S. and NATO for anything he could get in terms to weapons, soldiers or a no-fly zone from the Day One. Biden ruled out a no-fly zone or troops in Ukraine, seeking to avoid ratcheting up the conflict into WW III. “Boots on the ground is not an option for Germany,” said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, regardless of what happens to Ukraine in its war with the Russian Federation.
White House and EU authorities have said rhetorically that they cannot lose the Ukraine War, meaning that Russia would actually take over Ukraine. But 71-year-old Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he has no intention of taking over Ukraine. Putin said from the outset of the invasion Feb. 24, 2022 that he wants the U.S. to stop supplying Ukraine with lethal weapons. When Putin launched his “special military operation” Feb. 24, 2024, it was after four months of Biden refusing to stop arming Ukraine or discuss new security arrangements. Since taking office May 20, 2019, Zelensky has begged NATO for fast-track membership, provoking Putin into stationing 500,000 Russian troops on the border. Only after Biden rebuffed Putin’s overtures to discuss new security arrangements for Ukraine, did he move the Russian army into Ukraine to de-militarize the country.
Macron’s gaffe about considering EU or NATO troops in Ukraine gave Putin everything he needs to know about future U.S. or EU military plans. “This could require [military’ presence on Ukrainian territory without crossing the threshold of fighting,” Sejourne said, again walking back Macron’s gaffe. “The very fact of discussing the possibility of sending certain contingents to Ukraine from NATO countries is a very important new element,” said Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov. “In that case, we would need to talk not about probability, but about the inevitability [of direct conflict,” Peskov said, prompting retractions by the White House and EU officials. Macron tried to bluff Putin but it backfired badly, giving Putin far more clarification about U.S., EU and NATO plans in Ukraine. Zelensky would gladly accept EU or NATO troops or any other weapons system.
Ukrainian officials like to stir the pot when it comes to future NATO involvement or the possibility of Ukraine receiving NATO membership. Putin warned in the past that NATO membership would be a deal breaker for the Kremlin, a reason to escalate the war far beyond the current conflict. Putin has not ruled out using nuclear weapons if Ukraine or NATO were to threaten Russian national security. “This shows, firstly, an absolute awareness of the risks posed to Europe by a militaristic aggressive Russia,” said Zelensky’s military adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, commenting about Macron’s gaffe. Podolyak welcomes EU or NATO troops, referring to Russia as “militaristic, aggressive,” meaning it would warrant EU and NATO sending troops to Ukraine. Zelensky wants the U.S. and EU to re-supply its ballistic missiles and other types of arms-and-ammunition.
Macron opened up a can of worms with his gaffe about the possibility of sending EU or NATO troops into Ukraine. Peskov made it clear that any kind of U.S. or NATO troops in Ukraine would be a major escalation of the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders. No one in the EU or NATO wants to take Pololyak up on his militaristic or aggressive stance on Russia. Czech Republic, Canada, Denmark and others plan to accelerate shipments of arms and ammunition to Ukraine before they lose more territory to Russia. Zelensky, one again, heard the EU unequivocally denounce the idea of sending any troops to Ukraine. Nor has Zelensky heard NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urge any fast-track membership. Zelensky knows that whatever he get in arms-and-cash from the U.S. and EU, he’s on his own with is war with the Kremlin. Zelensky has choices other than war before him. It’s his choice to opt for war over U.N.-brokered peace talks.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
