France has positioned itself as a key diplomatic ally for Ukraine in Europe, but its military aid contributions rank ninth among European countries. Despite this, the French army asserts that their goal is to help Ukraine ramp up capabilities in areas like artillery, armored mobility, and ground-to-air defense.
The French military aid has focused on providing advanced systems such as Unitary Rocket Launchers (LRU), CAESAR self-propelled guns, Crotale NG missile batteries, and armored vehicles. They have also provided extensive training for Ukrainian forces.
France is also considering the possibility of sending European troops to Ukraine, a prospect that has sparked controversy among Ukraine’s allies. This proposal was brought back into the spotlight after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer landed in France for World War One commemorations.
The French government argues that deploying troops would enable Europeans to sit at the negotiating table with Ukraine, giving them leverage in potential peace talks and ensuring they’re not sidelined by the Russian-American power play. They also point out that Russia is the aggressor and that Ukraine needs security guarantees from its allies before engaging in peace talks with Russia.
France is refusing to rule out any option, including deploying former French soldiers to Ukraine, which would involve training in the use of CAESAR guns and drones, as well as providing medical support. This proposal has been made by a private military company with government ties.
The French government’s stance on sending European troops to Ukraine has sparked controversy among EU states, but they are refusing to rule out any option. They argue that this would help Ukraine defend itself, save lives, and ensure it doesn’t lose the war.
Overall, France is positioning itself as a key player in the European response to the conflict in Ukraine, and its military aid contributions are increasing. However, the question of whether European troops will be deployed remains a topic of debate among EU states.