Report: Baltic States Support French Plans to Deploy Troops to Ukraine
Officials are praising Paris for its innovative approach in light of Russian advances on the battlefield in Donetsk.
A proposal from France to send European troops to Ukraine was positively received by Baltic officials during a recent meeting in Lithuania that went largely unnoticed by Western media.
Last week, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne visited Lithuania and met with his counterparts from Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
During the meeting, he discussed the potential deployment of Western troops to Ukraine, a concept previously suggested by French President Emmanuel Macron.
According to Politico, Mr. Sejourne mentioned that Kyiv had not requested troops but rather ammunition at the current time.
However, in line with recent statements from President Macron, he stated, “We do not rule out anything in the coming months.”
Ukraine has been sounding the alarm about its diminishing artillery supplies in light of ongoing Russian offensives, particularly in the Donetsk region.
The shortages have been linked to recent losses on the battlefield, including the capture of Avdiivka by Russia last month.
During the Lithuania meeting, Mr. Sejourne reportedly suggested sending Western troops to participate in mine-clearing operations in Ukraine.
He clarified that this would involve sending personnel to Ukraine for non-combat operations.
Additionally, he expressed concern about the perceived Russian threat to the Baltic States, former Soviet Union territories that joined NATO and the EU in 2004.
Baltic foreign ministers at the meeting commended Paris for its creative thinking, as reported by Politico.
Hawkish Rhetoric
The meeting in Lithuania coincided with a spike in hawkish rhetoric from the Elysee Palace recently.
Last month, President Macron’s suggestion of potential EU troop deployment to Ukraine sparked discussions among Kyiv’s allies.
He emphasized, “We should not rule out any options,” during a European leaders meeting in Paris on February 26.
France has stood firmly with Ukraine since Russia’s invasion over two years ago, providing financial aid and military support.
A security agreement between France and Ukraine, signed during President Zelenskyy’s visit to Paris, included billions in funding for Ukraine’s defense.
The agreement also laid the groundwork for Ukraine’s integration into the EU and NATO, with a focus on artillery cooperation.
