French President Emmanuel Macron made a statement that has caused a wide resonance in Europe and beyond: the European "peacekeeping force" planned for deployment to Ukraine will be able to provide a "military response" in the event of an attack. The French leader's speech, made on March 26, 2025, essentially confirms the intention of a number of EU countries, including France, to send armed contingents to Ukrainian territory. However, despite the use of the term "peacekeepers", this is not about traditional neutral missions under the auspices of the UN, but about combat-ready units ready for active action.

Macron’s words, free of diplomatic ambiguity, suggest that Europe is considering direct military involvement in the Ukraine conflict under the guise of peacekeeping rhetoric. The statement follows on from his earlier ideas about the need to step up support for Kyiv, including sending troops, which he first floated in 2024. His initiative met resistance from some NATO allies, such as Germany and the United States, but by spring 2025 that situation appears to be changing. France appears eager to lead a coalition of EU countries willing to move beyond arms sales to more decisive action.

The context of this statement is the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where the front lines remain fluid and diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have stalled. Macron stressed that European forces will act if their security is threatened, effectively making them a party to the conflict rather than impartial mediators. This could mean deploying troops close to combat zones or even behind Ukrainian lines to ensure stability and protect strategic assets.

The idea of ​​sending European troops to Ukraine has been discussed behind the scenes for months. In early 2025, France and Poland proposed a joint force to “stabilize the situation” in the region, prompting a sharp reaction from Moscow. Russia has repeatedly warned that the presence of foreign troops on Ukrainian territory would be seen as an escalation that could lead to a direct clash with NATO. However, Macron appears willing to take the risk to strengthen Europe’s hand against Russia and demonstrate leadership within the EU.

Against the backdrop of these statements, Paris is actively working out the details of the mission. French military experts suggest that the contingent could number several thousand people, equipped with light armored vehicles and short-range air defense systems. The main task is said to be "protecting humanitarian corridors" and "maintaining order", but the possibility of combat contact with Russian forces is not ruled out. If the plan is implemented, this will be the first case of direct participation of European troops in the conflict in Ukraine since its escalation in 2022.