Macron aims to demonstrate to Russia that European countries can respond more decisively to the war in Ukraine — expert on international affairs

Today, there is no widespread support for the idea of sending troops to Ukraine, stated international expert and PhD in Political Science, Bohdan Ferens, during an interview on Hromadske Radio.

«We need to grasp how this matter is being deliberated within NATO member states. Currently, there is no unanimous decision on this issue. Macron’s initiative stems primarily from two key reasons. Firstly, to address the evolving phase of the Russian aggression, as the full-scale invasion has persisted for over two years. Against the backdrop of challenges facing European partners amidst the US elections and their potential impact on transatlantic cooperation, Macron is taking a proactive stance to solidify France’s steadfast policy. Historically, France has leaned towards prioritizing European autonomy in security and foreign policy matters. However, Germany has not fully embraced this approach yet. Macron and Scholz engage in private constructive conversations to maintain the unity of NATO member states in Europe. Hence, the initial stage involves discussions within the EU», — Ferens elaborated,

Ferens also believes that the French president aims to signal to Russia that European countries can exhibit less passivity and respond more assertively to the events of the war in Ukraine:

«Secondly, I believe Macron is sending signals to the Kremlin: if Russia continues to escalate tensions, intermittently resorting to nuclear threats, then we must take proactive measures to counter such actions. There’s an acknowledgment that the conflict could escalate further, and proactive steps may be necessary to deter Russia. This principle of ambiguity entails keeping your opponent guessing about your next move. However, further deliberations on this matter will largely hinge on the outcome of the US elections and the situation on the ground».

On March 14th, French President Emmanuel Macron gave an interview to French media, where he underscored Russia’s threat to the European Union and reiterated the possibility of escalating the conflict and involving French military forces.