Paris summit: NATO rules out ground troops in Ukraine, but increases arms aid

"Yesterday in Paris, we reached a consensus that we all need to intensify our support for Ukraine. Ukraine requires weapons, ammunition, and air defense systems. We are actively working on this. One thing remains clear: European countries or NATO will not deploy ground troops. This is a firm decision," Chancellor Olaf Scholz posted on the service X (formerly known as Twitter).

Chancellor Scholz was among the leaders participating in a summit organized by France in Paris on Monday, aimed at coordinating aid for Ukraine.

Other attendees included the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda. On the marking of the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted the summit to discuss ways to strengthen support for Kyiv.

"We are firmly convinced that defeating Russia is critical for ensuring security and stability in Europe," President Macron stated conclusively at the conference's conclusion.

Emmanuel Macron highlighted that the future possibility of sending Western ground troops to Ukraine should not be outright "excluded," though he acknowledged the current lack of "consensus" on the matter.

"At this stage, there is no agreement to deploy troops to Ukraine," Macron noted. "We will do everything necessary to prevent a Russian victory," he further assured.

The delicate topic of sending NATO troops to Ukraine was also broached by President Duda.

"The most intense debates centered on the potential dispatch of soldiers to Ukraine, where there was clearly no consensus," President Andrzej Duda reflected on the discussions held at the Élysée Palace. He reiterated, "No such decisions have been made," underscoring the point for clarity.

In addition, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced the formation of an allied coalition committed to supplying Ukraine with medium and long-range missile systems.