Macron urges Ukraine allies not to become ‘cowards’ in fighting Russia

Paris has so far tended to direct defense spending toward domestic industry.

Paris:

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday urged Ukraine’s allies not to be “cowards” in supporting the country against a Russian invasion.

He added that he “fully supports” controversial remarks last week not ruling out the possibility of Western troops being deployed to Ukraine, which caused uproar in Europe.

“For Europe, we are definitely facing a moment when we have to not be cowards,” Macron said during a visit to the Czech Republic, which is pushing for a plan to buy weapons for Ukraine outside Europe.

After meeting with Czech Foreign Minister Peter Pavel, he asked: “Is this our war? Can we turn a blind eye and believe that we can let things take their course?”

“I don’t think so, so I’m calling for strategic reinforcements, which I fully support,” Macron said.

Most of Macron’s European allies said they would not send troops to Ukraine following Macron’s comments on February 26.

The White House said on Tuesday that Ukraine had never sought Western troops.

“President Zelensky did not ask for this, he just asked for tools and capabilities. He never asked for foreign troops to fight for his country,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters in Washington.

Germany’s defense minister said Macron’s comments were unhelpful.

“At least from my point of view, we don’t really need to discuss boots on the ground or whether Have more courage or less courage.”

“It doesn’t really help solve the problems we have in helping Ukraine,” he added.

French officials have said Western troops may be sent to support operations such as mine clearance rather than fighting Russian forces.

“We do not want the situation to escalate, we have never been bellicose,” Macron said on Tuesday.

– Cash for shells –

Former NATO general Pavel agreed that Ukraine’s allies should look for “new ways” to help, adding that the West would not cross “imaginary red lines” by engaging in combat operations.

He suggested that NATO countries could train Ukrainian soldiers in Ukraine, which “does not violate international rules.”

The two presidents also commented on Prague’s plan to raise funds for Ukraine to buy ammunition outside Europe, a plan first raised by Pavel at a security conference in Munich last month.

About 15 countries have expressed support for plans to purchase 500,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition and 300,000 rounds of 122mm artillery shells, worth about $1.5 billion.

Macron reiterated on Tuesday that France supports the plan but did not say how much it might contribute. The Netherlands has pledged 100 million euros ($108.5 million).

Paris has so far favored channeling defense spending into domestic industry and supported the use of EU funds for European weapons production.

Macron does strongly support using revenues from Russia’s frozen assets in Europe to fund Ukraine’s defense, estimated to provide 3-5 billion euros ($325-5.4 billion) a year, but said funding should not be affected.

“We are not in favor of doing things that are prohibited by international law, and we are not in favor of starting a debate that I think will weaken Europe,” he said.

– Nuclear power tender –

Macron and Czech Prime Minister Fiala signed a bilateral cooperation plan for 2024-2028, which the French leader praised as “the basis for a long-term industrial and strategic partnership.”

Macron also spoke at a nuclear forum in the Czech capital, attended by a number of French energy companies, including power giant EDF, nuclear fuel distributor Orano and nuclear reactor maker Framatome.

EDF and South Korea’s KHNP are competing for the Czech Republic’s multi-billion-euro tender to build up to four new units at its Temelin and Dukovany nuclear power plants.

Macron said EDF’s bid to be submitted in April had “France’s full support.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Orano signed an agreement with Czech state-owned power group CEZ to enrich uranium for the Dukovany nuclear power plant, replacing Russia’s TVEL in this business.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)