French President Emmanuel Macron said that European countries have the right to send their military forces to Ukraine without Russia's consent. According to him, Ukraine's sovereignty as an independent state allows it to make its own decisions about the presence of foreign troops on its territory. This statement was made in the context of the ongoing conflict and discussions of possible ways for Western allies to support Kyiv.

Macron also criticized Moscow's position on the ceasefire, saying the statements showed the Kremlin's long-term plans to destabilize the region, which requires Europe to take more decisive action to ensure security.

Macron’s statement was part of a broader debate about Europe’s role in supporting Ukraine, especially given the uncertainty surrounding American aid and possible changes in U.S. policy after the presidential election. In recent months, France has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to play a more active role in European security policy, including initiatives to increase military aid to Kyiv. In particular, Paris signed a ten-year security agreement with Ukraine in February 2025, providing for arms supplies and training for the Ukrainian military.

The idea of ​​sending European troops to Ukraine without Russia’s consent has caused a mixed reaction on the international stage. Earlier, in late February 2024, Macron had already raised the possibility of introducing Western troops, which drew sharp criticism from a number of European leaders. Germany, Great Britain, Poland and other NATO countries were quick to state that they were not planning to send their troops, emphasizing the lack of consensus in the alliance on this issue. The Kremlin, in turn, called such initiatives “a new element of escalation,” warning that the presence of NATO troops on Ukrainian territory would make a direct conflict with Russia inevitable. However, Macron continues to insist on the need to maintain “strategic ambivalence” so as not to limit Europe’s ability to respond to Moscow’s actions.