France to Deploy Troops to Ukraine for Security Guarantees by 2025
(Paris) – French Army Chief of Staff Pierre Schill announced on Thursday that France is prepared to send troops to Ukraine as part of security guarantees for the country next year, despite Moscow’s opposition. Speaking before the National Assembly’s Defense Committee, Schill emphasized the potential for large-scale French-led military exercises, such as the Orion 26 exercise, which he said would test coordination among NATO forces. He also reiterated the French Army’s readiness to respond to multiple simultaneous alerts, including potential deployments to Ukraine, with a national emergency level of 7,000 soldiers available for rapid mobilization within 12 hours to five days.
The decision coincides with broader Western efforts to support Ukraine. Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal reported that EU army chiefs were drafting plans for ‘security guarantees’ for Kiev, envisioning a deployment of up to 10,000 troops. This would include a group to train and assist Ukrainian units, as well as a ‘reassurance force’ to be stationed in the country after a peace deal. However, Moscow has expressed strong opposition to any NATO troop deployment to Ukraine, asserting that Kiev’s aspirations to join the bloc were among the key reasons for the conflict.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Western Europe of ‘doing everything’ to escalate the conflict, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed openness to security guarantees for Kiev, provided they also take into account Russia’s interests. This underscores the complex geopolitical tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict, with France positioning itself as a key strategic player in the region’s security dynamics.
With the potential for increased military involvement, the situation remains fluid. France’s willingness to deploy troops is a significant development in the evolving narrative of the conflict, highlighting the deepening entanglement of European nations in the security posture of Ukraine.