NATO members oppose Macron's troop deployment to Ukraine
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The NATO allies have expressed their support for Ukraine, however, they are not ready to send their troops yet.
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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban addresses a parliament session, on the day lawmakers are expected to approve Sweden's accession into NATO, in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, Feb 26, 2024 (AP)
After French President Emmanuel Macron stated that "nothing should be excluded" about sending ground troops to Ukraine, several Nato countries, including the US, Germany, and the UK, have rejected this idea.
Earlier on Monday, Macron stated that there was "no consensus" on deploying Western soldiers in Ukraine.
However, he also stated at the crisis meeting in Paris in support of Ukraine that "We should not exclude that there might be a need for security that then justifies some elements of deployment," adding "But I've told you very clearly what France maintains as its position, which is a strategic ambiguity that I stand by."
The American response
US President Joe Biden stated that he believes that the "path to victory" is giving military aid "so Ukrainian troops have the weapons and ammunition they need to defend themselves", according to a White House statement.
"President Biden has been clear that the US will not send troops to fight in Ukraine," it added.
However, the United States is still keeping an eye open on the notion of deploying troops to Ukraine, a concept that its European allies have been deliberating for several weeks, according to European military sources cited by AFP on Tuesday. The report indicates that European partners are actively examining this proposal, with backing from the United States.
The German, British, and Italian responses
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz affirmed that the unanimous stance that no European country or Nato member state would deploy troops to Ukraine is unwavering.
In addition, the Spokesperson of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak revealed that other than the very few UK personnel already training Ukrainian forces, Britain has no intent for an extensive military deployment to Ukraine.
The office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also stated that Italy's "support does not include the presence of troops from European or Nato states on Ukrainian territory".
Nato Secretary General also commented
Earlier, Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg rejected debating whether troops would be deployed to Ukraine, however, he stressed that the alliance would proceed in supporting Ukraine, which is not a Nato member.
That position has been mirrored by several Nato member states including Spain, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
How did Russia react?
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov labeled Macron's idea as "a very important new element" stressing that not for the benefit of Nato members.
"In that case, we would need to talk not about the probability, but about the inevitability [of direct conflict]," he stated.
Biden urges aid support for Ukraine
Biden has expressed that it is "urgent" that the US pass additional support for Ukraine.
Before a meeting with congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday, he expressed "Ukraine, I think the need is urgent," adding that he believes the consequences of inaction are "dire."
Furthermore, Biden stated that he raised the subject with the Group of Seven (G7) countries, who voiced worry about the United States' potential failure to give extra aid.
In mid-February, a $95 billion wartime "assistance" package for Ukraine, "Israel", and Taiwan was rejected by Republicans.
The package encompasses $60 billion designated for Ukraine, where military resources are quickly depleting. A substantial portion of these funds is intended to bolster Ukraine's military capabilities and replenish US weaponry and equipment deployed to the frontline.
