] French President Emmanuel Macron walks past an honour guard at Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, March 5, 2024. REUTERS/David W Cerny
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed expatriates in Prague on Tuesday, urging Ukraine’s allies to intensify their support as Europe approaches a critical juncture. Macron’s remarks come in the wake of his earlier proposal, made during a conference on Ukraine in Paris on February 26, regarding the potential deployment of Western troops to Ukraine. Despite facing criticism from some Western allies for his proposal, Macron reaffirmed his stance during his visit to Prague, emphasizing the necessity for a strategic shift in response to escalating threats in Europe.
Referring to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Macron underscored the shared realization between France and the Czech Republic of the resurgent specter of war in Europe and the imperative to confront increasingly assertive adversaries. Macron’s unconventional approach to diplomacy, characterized by his willingness to challenge established norms and stimulate debate, was evident in his February 26 remarks. French officials clarified that Macron’s proposal involved the deployment of non-combat troops for tasks such as demining, border protection, and training Ukrainian forces.
In addition to advocating for a strategic shift, Macron expressed support for the initiative announced by the Czech Republic, with backing from Canada, Denmark, and others, to swiftly procure hundreds of thousands of ammunition rounds from third countries for dispatch to Ukraine. Highlighting Ukraine’s urgent need for artillery rounds amid renewed Russian aggression, Macron refrained from specifying France’s contribution to the initiative but indicated openness to utilizing European funds for this purpose.
Addressing concerns over financing, particularly in light of France’s historical stance on European defense industry funding, Macron affirmed France’s support for the Czech initiative and readiness to contribute. He suggested potential avenues for financing, including bilateral cooperation, involvement of third-party partners, and utilization of European funding mechanisms such as the European Peace Facility. The Netherlands has already pledged 100 million euros to support the Czech initiative, underscoring broader international solidarity with Ukraine’s defense efforts.
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