Macron is bluffing by claiming the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine – The Washington Post

French President Emmanuel Macron is bluffing when he speaks of the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine.

This opinion is shared by French columnist Lee Hockstader of The Washington Post.

Hockstader believes that deploying troops could lead to more serious and unpredictable consequences compared to previous red line breaches. Moreover, he does not see any signs that anyone in Europe is seriously preparing for such a development.

“The problem is this: what if Putin calls Macron’s bluff? Especially considering that the French leader has done almost nothing to prepare domestic public opinion for the return of body bags from Ukraine. Not to mention that most of France’s main NATO allies, who themselves are firmly against sending troops, are unlikely to use French casualties to push for a more direct confrontation with Russia,” Hockstader writes.

He doubts that French troops in Ukraine could offer any “additional value” to the capable Ukrainian Armed Forces. He also notes that Paris lags behind other allies in arms deliveries.

Hockstader believes that sending troops would highlight Macron’s isolation with little likelihood of significant benefit.

It is worth noting that media reports have suggested that Macron wants to form a European coalition of military instructors working directly in Ukraine. Additionally, Valeurs Acteurs, citing former French Marine Regiment commander Pera de Jong, reported that French military personnel have been in Ukraine since the beginning of the war.