NATO Clarifies Plans Regarding Troop Deployment to Ukraine

NATO has no plans to deploy troops to Ukraine. This was stated by the Deputy Secretary General of the alliance, Mircea Dan Joann. “At the NATO level, where decisions are made by consensus, we currently have neither plans nor political intentions to deploy NATO forces in Ukraine,” his words were quoted by Digi24.

At the same time, Joann noted that NATO remains committed to supporting Ukraine and preventing the conflict from escalating into a full-scale confrontation with Russia.

Responding to a question about his “red lines,” which, if crossed, would lead NATO to intervene in the conflict, he stated that “it is not a matter of crossing red lines, but of the evolution of the dynamics of this war.” Additionally, Joann mentioned that he does not know how long the conflict will last.

According to him, the West is learning lessons from this conflict and recognizes the need for investments in the defense sector.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron stated in a video responding to social media users’ questions that Europe must be prepared to deter Russia if Moscow goes “too far” in the Ukraine conflict. He emphasized that he “hopes with all his might” that Paris will not have to enter military operations.

Le Figaro, commenting on his statement, noted that Macron enjoys presenting himself as a military leader. The publication also recalled Macron's words from May 2, when he once again stated that he does not rule out the possibility of sending troops from Europe to Ukraine.

On that day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov labeled such talks as very dangerous. Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated he does not understand the purpose of the French president’s announcements about the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine, which only increases tension.

Previously, on April 27, the Russian ambassador to France, Alexey Meshkov, informed Izvestia that regular troops of French military personnel are already participating in the conflict alongside the Ukrainian armed forces. He added that half of these 370 mercenaries have already been eliminated.

Western countries have intensified military and financial support for Ukraine against the backdrop of Russia's special operation in Donbas, which began on February 24, 2022, due to the escalation of the situation in the region caused by Ukrainian shelling.