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“Every word I say on this topic is considered, thoughtful and prudent”: French President Emmanuel Macron

Photo: Lemouton Stephane / ABACAPRESS / IMAGO

Macron's statements about the possible deployment of Western ground troops in Ukraine caused an international stir.

Despite the criticism, French President Emmanuel Macron is sticking to his ideas.

"Every word I say on this topic is considered, thoughtful and prudent," he told broadcaster BFMTV at the opening of the Olympic Village in Paris.

He did not want to comment further because it was not the place for “geopolitical comments.”

After a recent Ukraine aid conference, Macron described his country's use of ground troops in Ukraine, which is under attack by Russia, as not being ruled out.

At the meeting with more than 20 heads of state and government, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), there was no agreement on this, but nothing could be ruled out in the future course of the war, Macron said in Paris.

Scholz vehemently rejected Macron's proposal for a possible deployment of ground troops from NATO countries to Ukraine.

However, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas supported the French President's statements.

It is “good that we are discussing all options,” she said in Paris.

col/dpa