Ukrainian official: France is preparing to send troops to Ukraine

(Dan Tri) – Ukrainian officials said France is preparing to send troops to Ukraine, despite Russia’s tough warnings.

Senior Ukrainian parliamentarian Aleksey Goncharenko (Photo: Global Look Press).

Aleksey Goncharenko, a senior Ukrainian parliamentarian and an official representing the city of Odessa in the Ukrainian parliament, said on March 20 that France is considering deploying military forces to bordering Ukrainian areas.

`I am in contact with French colleagues. I can say that everything is serious… There are plans to deploy European soldiers to the border with Belarus, (a mission) that will replace the army

Mr. Goncharenko is in France to attend a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) committee.

According to the Ukrainian parliamentarian, sources close to French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that the French leader is `very determined` to send troops to Ukraine, but the number of soldiers is still being discussed.

French soldiers in Mali in 2020 (Photo: New York Times).

Mr. Goncharenko stated that France wants to form a coalition of allies, which could include Poland and the Baltic countries.

According to Ukrainian officials, President Macron wants to create `a joint base for training (soldiers) and producing ammunition` in Ukraine.

`It seems that France is tired of Russia. Europe is preparing to show its strength,` Mr. Goncharenko said.

Last month, after a meeting with leaders of allied countries, French President Emmanuel Macron said they discussed the option of sending troops to Ukraine.

A series of leaders of allied countries later spoke out to reject the idea of sending troops into Ukraine, saying this was a dangerous idea that could lead to direct conflict between Russia and NATO and even World War 3.

Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergei Naryshkin also said on March 19 that France is preparing to send military forces into Ukraine and the expected number of troops is about 2,000 people.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba announced on March 19 that Ukraine does not need NATO troops on its territory to defeat Russia.

`Mr. Macron just wants to say that there is the possibility of training Ukrainian soldiers directly in Ukraine, not outside as currently,` Mr. Kuleba said.

Mr. Kuleba added that what Ukraine needs from foreign sponsors is weapons, especially drones, not human resources.