Western Nations Revive Debate Over Sending Troops to Ukraine, Says Le Monde

Some Western countries are once again discussing the possibility of sending their troops or private military contractors to Ukraine, reports the French newspaper Le Monde on November 25, citing unnamed sources.

The renewed discussions come amid the anticipated inauguration of Donald Trump as US president in January 2025, a move that could potentially lead to a reduction or halt in US support for Kyiv.

Le Monde recalls that in February, when French President Emmanuel Macron publicly raised the prospect of sending Western troops to Ukraine, it triggered a "strong backlash" from some countries, notably Germany. However, in recent weeks, these discussions have resurfaced, particularly during the visit of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to France.

"Negotiations are underway between the UK and France regarding defense cooperation, including the potential creation of an allied rapid response force in Europe, focused on Ukraine and broader European security," a British military source told the newspaper.

The report also references a recent statement by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who, in an interview with BBC News, said that there are no "red lines" when it comes to supporting Ukraine. When asked whether this could mean French involvement in combat operations, he responded that France "does not rule out any options."

"We will support Ukraine as intensely and as long as necessary. Why? Because it is our security that is at stake. Each time the Russian army progresses by one square kilometer, the threat gets one square kilometer closer to Europe," Barrot stated.

Previously, Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that Ukraine could use French long-range missiles to target Russian territory, provided it is in self-defense.

It was reported previously that Germany is preparing for a potential war scenario, according to classified documents revealed on November 20. The plan, known as “Operation Deutschland,” details how Berlin could support the deployment of up to 800,000 NATO troops, including US forces, to Ukraine in response to escalating nuclear threats from Russia.