France ready to deploy troops in Ukraine as part of security guarantees, date announced
Chief of Staff of the French Army Pierre Schill allows the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine (Photo: Getty Images)
France has declared its readiness to send a military contingent to Ukraine as part of future security guarantees if necessary, said Chief of Staff of the French Army General Pierre Schill, according to BFMTV.
According to Schill, his units are prepared for a potential troop deployment in support of Ukraine in 2026 under the framework of upcoming security guarantees.
“We will be ready to deploy forces as part of security guarantees, if needed, in support of Ukraine,” the general said.
He also emphasized that 2026 will be the year of coalitions and added that France is actively preparing for the multinational Orion 26 drills.
The Orion 26 drills are expected to test coordination between different branches of the armed forces and allied partners.
Schill stated that the French Army is prepared to respond simultaneously to three potential threats, including readiness for a possible deployment to Ukraine and fulfilling commitments within NATO.
In recent months, Paris has increasingly voiced concerns about the threat posed by Russia. Earlier, former Chief of the French Army General Staff Thierry Bukhard warned that the Kremlin views France as one of its main targets, while the new Chief of Staff, Fabien Mandon, has called for strengthening the country’s rearmament.
Foreign troops in Ukraine
As is known, one of the points in the upcoming security guarantees — which will take effect after a ceasefire — includes the possible deployment of foreign troops to Ukraine.
This topic began to be actively discussed earlier this year, and during the Coalition of the Willing meeting on September 4 in Paris, some specific details were clarified.
A number of countries have expressed readiness to station their troops in Ukraine. Among those supporting the idea are the UK, France, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the Baltic states, the Netherlands, and Australia.
Some countries remain hesitant about sending their forces to Ukraine, while others have made it clear they do not plan to do so.
Following the September 4 meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that it will definitely be in the thousands, referring to the potential number of foreign troops.
The latest meeting of the Coalition of the Willing took place on October 24 in London, where a new five-point plan for Ukraine was outlined.
