2024-02-28 04:06:46
The United States and a number of its main European allies announced on Tuesday that they do not intend to send ground forces to Ukraine, after France hinted at this possibility, prompting the Kremlin to warn that any such move would inevitably lead to a conflict between Russia and NATO. NATO.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “This is not in the interest of these countries at all. They must realize that,” considering that merely raising this possibility constitutes a “very important new element” in the conflict.
For his part, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council, Konstantin Kosachev, said on Tuesday that the possible dispatch of ground forces by NATO countries to Ukraine may be interpreted as direct participation of the alliance in hostilities, and even a declaration of war.
Kosachev commented on Macron’s statement, saying: “This proposal goes beyond NATO’s participation in the war (because this has been happening for a long time), but it can be interpreted as the alliance being directly involved in hostilities or even as a declaration of war.”
Macron’s statements crisis
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that Western allies should not rule out any options as they seek to avoid a Russian victory in Ukraine, although he stressed that there is no consensus at this stage.
Macron’s statements came amid field gains by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, as well as a worsening shortage of ammunition and personnel on the Ukrainian side.
Macron made the statements during a hastily held meeting of European leaders in Paris to discuss ways to strengthen the currently weak support for Kiev.
Germany, Britain, Spain, Poland and the Czech Republic have distanced themselves from any suggestion that they might commit to sending ground troops to the war in Ukraine, which is now in its third year.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday: “Neither European countries nor NATO countries will send ground forces to Ukraine.”
The White House later confirmed that it had no intention of sending ground troops, but urged US lawmakers to approve a stalled bill to provide security assistance that would ensure Ukrainian forces had the weapons and ammunition needed to continue fighting.
Earlier, US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, an ally of former President Donald Trump and head of the small Republican majority in the House, refused to vote on a draft resolution requested by President Joe Biden to allocate about $60 billion to Ukraine.
In a clarification of Macron’s statements, French Foreign Minister Stephane Seghorn said on Tuesday that the president was considering sending troops to carry out specific tasks such as helping to clear mines, weapons production and cyber defense.
This “may require a (military) presence on Ukrainian territory, without reaching the point of combat,” Sigorn told French lawmakers.
1709100840
#Russia #rebukes #Macron.. #NATO #rules #decision #declare #war