French President Emmanuel Macron has stood by his recent comments regarding the potential deployment of Western troops to Ukraine, despite facing backlash both domestically and internationally. Macron, addressing reporters during a visit to the 2024 Olympic village near Paris on Thursday, emphasized that his statements on Russian aggression against Ukraine were carefully considered and deliberate.

During a leaders' conference on support for Kyiv earlier this week, Macron stated that while there was "no consensus" on sending ground troops to Ukraine in an "official manner," he did not exclude the possibility. This stance diverged from the rejection of Western troop deployment by other NATO members such as the U.S., U.K., and Germany, while Estonia and Lithuania appeared more open to the idea.

Macron's refusal to rule out the prospect of Western troop involvement in Ukraine has stirred controversy, with critics raising concerns and opposition parties in France and abroad sharply criticizing the stance. The French government, however, sought to downplay Macron's remarks by highlighting potential activities like demining and arms production as areas where Western presence in Ukraine could be involved.

In response to the speculation surrounding Western troop deployment, the speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament issued a warning to Macron, likening the potential troops to Napoleon's army and suggesting a similar fate for them in Ukraine. Macron declined to entertain further questions on the topic whilst maintaining that every statement he makes on such serious issues is carefully considered.