French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that NATO countries should not rule out sending troops to Ukraine, but President Joe Biden has reaffirmed that the United States will not deploy troops to the region.
Macron’s remarks came during a summit in Paris attended by representatives from 27 European Union nations, where he hosted 21 heads of state, urging a collective response to Russia’s renewed offensive in Ukraine.
Macron’s statement, “There’s no consensus today to send in an official, endorsed manner troops on the ground. But in terms of dynamics, nothing can be ruled out,” stirred discussions among allied leaders.
Biden quickly distanced the United States from the idea, emphasizing that there is currently no intention to deploy troops to Ukraine, but the White House reasserted the “path to victory” is providing military aid “so Ukrainian troops have the weapons and ammunition they need to defend themselves.”
Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress are blocking action legislation needed to send those arms to Ukraine, as the Russian invaders have begun making new territorial gains against the defending forces, which could leave Biden without many choices besides stepping up or watching Putin prevail.
Previously, Biden said the world is closer to a nuclear conflagration than at any time since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and he is not the only one who sees it that way.
In June 2023, Sergei Karaganov, a Putin advisor who heads the Council for Foreign and Defense Policy, urged Moscow to consider launching limited nuclear strikes on Western Europe as a way to bring the war in Ukraine to a favorable conclusion.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, cited a 2020 nuclear doctrine that sets out the conditions under which a Russian president would consider using a nuclear weapon.
Putin controls Russia’s nuclear arsenal, but diplomats say the remarks by Medvedev and Karaganov indicate the kind of hawkish thinking inside the Kremlin, which views itself in an existential struggle with the West.
As of January 23, 2024, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ Doomsday Clock is still set at 90 seconds to midnight. The clock is a metaphorical representation of how close humanity is to destroying the world via nuclear weapons, climate change, and other means.
Leaked classified Russian military files that include training scenarios for an invasion by China, describe a threshold for using tactical nuclear weapons at an early stage of conflict with a major world power that is lower than Russia has ever publicly admitted, according to experts who reviewed and verified the documents for the Financial Times.
Ukraine’s military, losing more territory as supplies from its Western allies run short, has withdrawn from two more villages near the eastern town of Avdiivka which was captured earlier this month by Moscow forces, marking the biggest Russian battlefield gain in nine months.
A conflict between Russia and NATO would be inevitable if Western troops go to Ukraine, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who commented in response to Macron and noted that the possibility of Western countries sending their military to Ukraine is a new element.
“In this case, it is necessary to talk not about the probability, but about the inevitability (of the conflict). That’s how we assess it,” said Peskov, answering a reporter’s question of what are the risks of escalation and direct conflict with NATO if the alliance deployed military forces in Ukraine. “They should also assess these countries and be aware of this, wonder whether it meets their interests, as well as the interests of the citizens of their countries.”
“In general, the very fact of discussing the possibility of sending some contingents of NATO countries to Ukraine is, of course, very important, a new element. All other elements in the speeches of the French president have already been voiced in one way or another, we have already taken them all into account,” said Peskov, who said Moscow is well aware of Macron’s position “regarding the need to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia.”
“Several countries participating in this event, which took place in Paris, maintain a fairly sober assessment of the potential dangers of such an action and the potential danger of being directly involved in a hot conflict, involving them on the battlefield,” said Peskov.
Ukraine’s worst battlefield setback in nine months is related to shortages of vital supplies and delayed Western aid stalled by Republicans in Congress, who are blocking a $60 billion U.S. aid package. President Joe Biden blamed Ukraine’s battlefield losses and resource rationing due to congressional inaction.
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico further fueled the debate by mentioning a “restricted document” circulated among summit members, which discussed topics including military deployments to Ukraine and other potential military actions.
These discussions raised concerns about the possibility of direct confrontation between NATO forces and Russia, with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warning of inevitable conflict should Western troops enter Ukrainian territory.
“In this case, it is necessary to talk not about the probability, but about the inevitability (of the conflict),” Peskov asserted, emphasizing the potential dangers of such actions. He also highlighted the significance of Western countries understanding the risks and implications of military involvement in Ukraine.
While Macron’s suggestion sparked deliberations among NATO members, it faced mixed reactions. Some expressed reservations about the potential consequences of military intervention, emphasizing the need for cautious consideration.
Biden’s stance aligns with his administration’s commitment to diplomatic solutions and non-military interventions in the ongoing crisis.
Despite pressure from some quarters, including Macron’s remarks and ongoing debates among NATO members, the United States says it remains focused on diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and support Ukraine through other means.
The discussions surrounding potential military involvement in Ukraine underscore the complexities and challenges facing global leaders as they navigate the evolving crisis in the region.