Following a conference of European leaders on Monday, Macron asserted that “everything that is necessary” must be undertaken to ensure Russia’s defeat, including the deployment of troops.

In response, the Kremlin cautioned about the “inevitability” of a confrontation between NATO and Russia if alliance troops were sent into the conflict, breaking a significant taboo that the West had been hesitant to challenge.

Macron hosted the conference just over two years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the aim of garnering increased support for Kyiv, which is confronting escalating battlefield challenges and depleting ammunition stocks.

Presenting a bleak portrayal of Russia under President Vladimir Putin, Macron argued that there had been a recent “change of posture,” noting a hardening of Russia’s stance both domestically and in Ukraine.

While there was “no consensus” on the sending of Western ground troops to Ukraine, “nothing should be ruled out. We will do whatever it takes to ensure that Russia cannot win this war,” Macron added, France 24 reported.

“We are convinced that the defeat of Russia is indispensable to security and stability in Europe,” Macron said.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, criticized by some for his perceived closeness to Moscow, acknowledged disunity among European leaders on the issue after the meeting.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of Sweden, poised to join NATO, downplayed the idea, stating that “it’s not on the cards at all for the moment.”

The Italian government clarified its position, stating that support for Ukraine did not entail sending troops.

A NATO official, speaking anonymously, underscored that there were no plans for NATO combat troops to be deployed on the ground in Ukraine, despite the alliance’s commitment to providing unprecedented military support.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a tetchy message on X: “We agreed that everyone must do more for Ukraine in Paris yesterday. Ukraine needs weapons, ammunition and air defence. We are working on it. It is clear: there will be no ground troops from European countries or NATO.”

Written by B.C. Begley