President Zelenskyy: French Army's Presence in Ukraine Dependent on Russian Actions

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
12/03/2024 19h42

In an exclusive interview with French channel BFMTV, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the possibility of the French army being stationed in Ukraine and discussed the conditions under which they would intervene in the event of a Russian attack on a NATO country.

Zelenskyy acknowledged that while the French military will not risk their lives on Ukrainian soil, their presence in the country is connected to the ongoing conflict with Russia. He pointed out that as long as Ukraine holds strong against Russian aggression, the French army can remain stationed on French territory.

However, Zelenskyy emphasized that if Russian forces were to attack a NATO member country, it would be up to the NATO countries to decide whether and how to deploy their armies in defense of the targeted nation. He referred to recent comments by French President Emmanuel Macron, who stated that no options should be ruled out when it comes to Putin's actions.

Responding to concerns about France potentially becoming involved in the conflict, Zelenskyy assured the host that French citizens would not be directly at risk in Ukraine. Instead, the possibility of French military engagement would be contingent upon an attack by Russia on a NATO member, which could potentially result in the deployment of troops from various member nations.

The Ukrainian President admitted that Ukraine does not require foreign troops on its territory. However, he did express openness to the idea of technical personnel coming to Ukraine to assist with repairs of military equipment, thereby avoiding the need to transport such equipment to Europe for maintenance.

Zelenskyy's interview comes ahead of an upcoming meeting between him and President Macron in Ukraine in the coming weeks. The two leaders discussed the need for continued dialogue and cooperation in addressing the ongoing tensions with Russia.

As the situation in the region remains tense, Ukraine continues to hold its ground, relying on its own forces for defense. The possibility of further NATO involvement remains uncertain and would depend on future actions from Russia.

The interview highlights the complex dynamics at play in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as various nations closely monitor developments and contemplate potential responses to Russian aggression.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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