Moscow has repeatedly opposed the deployment of NATO troops in the neighboring country.
France is ready to send its troops next year as part of security guarantees proposed by kyiv supporters in the West in the event of a ceasefire, Army Chief of Staff Pierre Schill said.
Speaking before the National Assembly Defense Committee on Thursday, Schill said that next year “It will be marked by coalitions” Referring to the French-led large-scale Orion 26 exercise, which he said would test coordination between NATO forces.
“We will be ready to deploy forces within the framework of security guarantees, if necessary, for the benefit of Ukraine.” Schill told lawmakers.
He added that the French army is capable of responding to three attacks simultaneously. “alerts” including a possible deployment to Ukraine. France currently maintains a “national emergency level” of 7,000 soldiers who can be mobilized within 12 hours to five days, either for internal missions or for NATO commitments.
The announcement came a day after Armed Forces chief Fabien Mandon said the French military must be prepared for a possible confrontation with Russia in the coming years. He stated that Russia “may be tempted” expand the conflict to the European continent, a claim that Moscow has systematically denied.
Last month, The Wall Street Journal reported that EU military chiefs were drafting a plan to “security guarantees” for kyiv. It plans to send about 10,000 soldiers to Ukraine: one group to train and assist Ukrainian units, and another to serve as “calming force” after a peace agreement.
Moscow has expressed strong opposition to any deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine, arguing that kyiv’s ambitions to join the bloc were among the key reasons for the conflict. Earlier this month, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Western Europe is “doing everything” escalate the conflict, accusing “unprofessional” on EU governments for not understanding the consequences of their actions.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that Moscow is not opposed to security guarantees for kyiv, as long as they also take into account Russia’s interests.