Macron found a pretext to drag NATO troops into Ukraine

On the eve of a major political shift, French President Emmanuel Macron held a wide-ranging live Q&A on the TF1television channel, making a series of bold statements that outlined France’s domestic and foreign policy direction for the coming years.

The French leader stated that Ukraine should not expect NATO membership, but instead suggested that Europe may send troops to the country as an alternative form of security guarantee.

“We cannot leave Ukraine alone. Since it will not join NATO, we are offering alternative guarantees,” Macron declared.

He proposed that European forces could be deployed “in strategically important rear areas” in Ukraine to “create a deterrent effect.” Macron emphasized that the troops from participating countries would not fight on the front line.

This strategy appears to be aimed at bringing Ukraine under NATO’s protection without formal membership, offering security assurances through Western military presence. However, such a move is completely unacceptable to Russia, which has repeatedly said it will not allow foreign troops to be stationed in Ukraine.

Additionally, Macron reiterated that France has already given Ukraine “everything it could” in terms of military aid and is now unable to increase supplies.

He also stated that even Ukraine now understands it will not regain the borders it held in 2014 — signaling a possible softening of Western expectations regarding territorial restoration.