NewsMacron's stance on NATO troops in Ukraine incites global and Russian backlash

Macron's stance on NATO troops in Ukraine incites global and Russian backlash

The Russians wrote a message to the French on the bomb.

Images source: © X | Anton Heraszczenko

8:32 AM EST, February 29, 2024

In Paris, Emmanuel Macron, alongside leaders from several nations, including Poland's President Andrzej Duda and Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz, discussed the possibility of deploying NATO troops to Ukraine. Macron shared his thoughts with reporters post-discussion. The French President mentioned that "one cannot exclude" the idea of deploying Western ground forces to Ukraine, though he acknowledged the current lack of consensus on this issue. Macron stressed the importance of preventing a Russian victory. Contrary to France's openness, Poland, through the voices of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda, made it clear that sending soldiers is off the table for them.

Macron's remarks stirred reactions among allied nations. Leaders have indicated that their troops will not join the Ukraine conflict in the foreseeable future. This stance was shared by Olaf Scholz and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, among others.

Reactions in Russia and a message on a bomb

Reacting to Macron's stance, first responses also surged within Russia. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighted that the deployment of Western troops to Ukraine would essentially mean a direct conflict with NATO.

Peskov pointed out that even discussing the potential of sending a military contingent to Ukraine represents a significant development. "We should not speak of likelihoods but of inevitabilities," Peskov remarked, as reported by Belsat.

Russians are starting to see France as adversarial, evident from an internet-posted bomb photo seemingly directed at the French. Shared by Anton Gerashchenko, advisor to the Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs, the photo carried a pointed message. Translated by netizens, it read: "Citizens of France, change your president's policy, or else these bombs will find new targets." It stands as a stark threat to the French nation.