The UK and France have “reactivated” talks on sending troops to Ukraine, French newspaper Le Monde reported on Monday. The idea has already caused a rift among European NATO members.
Back in February, French President Emmanuel Macron caused controversy by declaring his willingness to send ground troops to Ukraine “to prevent Russia from winning this war.” The statement was quickly disavowed by NATO officials, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters that Ukraine’s Western backers were “unanimous” in their opposition to the idea.
The plan was seemingly shelved, Le Monde has reported, until British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Paris earlier this month. Citing anonymous sources, the French newspaper claimed that talks on a possible Franco-British deployment to Ukraine were “reactivated” by Starmer and Macron.
No further information was provided, and Le Monde speculated that this deployment could range from both nations sending private-sector technicians to repair military equipment (as Britain already does), to private military contractors (as Russia insists that France does), to flag-wearing personnel on the ground, either on the front line or to enforce an eventual ceasefire and peace deal.
Either they're trying more of the Nixon mad-man theory out or they are as I've speculated preparing to move from the escalation of long-range strikes which cannot change the nature of the conflict to sending troops.
I speculate that they'll probably dip their toes in, e.g. they'll openly send some mercenaries or some small units to salami slice their way to sending a whole bunch of units by January (before Trump) or spring of next year to enforce the idea of freezing the conflict.
This is unacceptable to Russia and it should be. They've lost too many lives, spent too much capital in all senses of the word and should see the task finished not frozen so the west can rebuild Ukraine's armies for another go in 15 years and arm it to the teeth with missiles in the mean-time.
The people of the world and Russia cannot submit to their blackmail, we must remain unflinching in this game of chicken. I predict they will blink. But even if I knew they wouldn't I would still advocate against submission to their tyranny no matter the consequences.
Russia only had intended to occupy East Ukraine… but I fear that they’re going to have to occupy the entire nation at this point.
The only thing you can count on from narcissists is their own sense of self-preservation.
I think they will blink as well.
Speaking of blinkin', I wonder what sort of conversations he's having rn...