The UK and France will “not discard any option” in sending troops or private defence contractors to Ukraine.
This comes as Donald Trump will take to the White House on 20 January 2025 and this has sparked fears the new President will pull out all military assets and stop sending military aid to Ukraine which could hand victory to Vladimir Putin.
Le Monde reported on Monday citing undisclosed sources, on 11 November when Sir Keir Starmer was in Paris meeting with the French President Emmanuel Macron, the pair discussed the possibility of putting boots on the ground in Ukraine.
Le Monde said that Starmer and Macron will not rule out taking the lead with a pro-Kyiv coalition and create a core of allies in Europe focussing on establishing greater security in Europe, as Trump could withdraw military support.
Discussions to send British and French troops to Ukraine is ongoing and the details are currently classified.
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The French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the West must “not set and express red lines” when providing military support to Ukraine.
The BBC asked Barrot if sending French soldiers to Ukraine will cross the red line, he said Paris will “not discard any option.”
Last week a British Army General has told MPs they are ready to “fight tonight” should war in Europe break out.
The deputy chief of the British Defence staff, Lieutenant General Rob Magowan told the House of Commons defence committee, “If the British Army was asked to fight tonight, it would fight tonight.
“I don’t think anybody in this room should be under any illusion that if the Russians invaded Eastern Europe tonight, then we would meet them in that fight.”
In February the French President said that “Russia cannot win this war” and has refused to rule out sending troops to Ukraine.
Macron warned allies previously that we are “approaching a moment in our Europe” and he urged allies “not to be a coward” as now is the time to step up to the mark in Ukraine.
The French ground army chief of staff General Pierre Schill said his forces “is ready” for “the toughest engagements.”
In an op-ed in the French newspaper Le Monde, Schill said, “However the international situation may evolve, French people can be certain that their soldiers stand ready to respond.”
“To protect itself from any attack and to defend its interests, the French army is preparing for even the toughest engagements,” he added.
