UK urging France to abstain from escalation in Ukraine war
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"Let's think of the things we can do that are really helpful to Ukraine [without the escalation of the situation]," stated former British Prime Minister David Cameron regarding France's potential deployment of troops into Ukraine.
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Britain's Foreign Secretary David Cameron speaks during a joint news conference after his meeting with the Bulgarian Prime Minister in Sofia, February 14, 2024. (AFP)
London is privately attempting to convince Paris to abstain from escalating the war in Ukraine following statements regarding France's potential deployment of troops, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said on Wednesday.
"I really welcome the fact that the French have changed their view, but I am not sure that is the right approach," Cameron said during a prank video call with an individual claiming to be Petro Poroshenko, the former president of Ukraine, which took place earlier this month.
"I am very keen on the French enthusiasm, but I am not sure they picked the right particular answer...We do not want an argument with them, we are just trying to say privately to them 'Let's think of the things we can do that are really helpful to Ukraine [without the escalation of the situation]," Cameron said, explaining that this action may create additional targets for Russia.
NATO troops already in Ukraine
A recent report by Responsible Statecraft revealed that French nationals, along with other Western nationals, are already fighting in Ukraine.
Moreover, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky had announced earlier in May that the initial batch of French military instructors were expected to travel to Ukraine soon. The announcement was issued following a video call involving Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
"I have already signed the documents that will allow the first French instructors to visit our training centers soon and get acquainted with their infrastructure and personnel," Syrsky said on social media. "I welcome the initiative of France to send instructors to Ukraine to train Ukrainian servicemen."
Also in May, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk, stated that NATO forces had already been deployed in Ukraine, and that the alliance is aiding Kiev to the greatest extent possible.
"NATO today is helping as much as it can. As much as it can. Without NATO's help, Ukraine would not have been able to defend itself for so long. Well, and there are some troops there, I mean soldiers. There are some soldiers there. Observers, engineers," Tusk disclosed to journalists.
The prime minister did not provide information on the number of troops or their places of origin.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also said earlier this month that any French military instructor present in Ukraine to train its forces would be a “legitimate target” for Russian armed forces.
