Two more EU countries oppose sending troops to Ukraine

According to the spokesperson for the Spanish government, Pilar Alegría, Madrid did not agree with French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to send troops to Ukraine. She has stated that assistance should be limited to weapons and other materials.

"Unity has been and is the most effective weapon Europe has to face up against Putin's attack," Alegría says.

Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has stated that his country also opposes sending troops to Ukraine. He believes that the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine "is an idea of Macron's."

"But when you talk of sending troops you must be very prudent because we must not make people think we're at war with Russia. We aren't at war with Russia, we are defending Ukraine and in my personal judgement I'm not favourable to sending Italian troops to fight in Ukraine," Tajani says.

What is known about the deployment of Western troops to Ukraine

On February 26, a working meeting of about 20 European leaders took place at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Conference participants discussed ways to counter Russia and possible ways to help Ukraine confront the aggressor in the context of the recent escalation on the frontlines. During the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron did not rule out NATO sending troops to help Ukraine. According to him, the main problem is the lack of consensus on this issue.

It should be noted that currently, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Czechia, and Poland are also not considering sending NATO or EU troops to Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg was also categorical, stating that "there are no plans for NATO combat troops on the ground in Ukraine," despite comprehensive assistance to Kyiv.