West should consider Macron's troop deployment idea for Ukraine - Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Photo: Estonian military (Getty Images)
Estonia and other allies should be open to discussing the idea proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the possibility of sending NATO troops to Ukraine, stated the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Kyllike Sillaste-Elling.
"We should be open to ideas. Instead of constantly announcing what we're not going to do to help Ukraine, we should announce what we think we should do," said Sillaste-Elling.
At the same time, she added that currently there is no activity towards preparing for sending foreign troops to Ukraine.
"But in any case, all options are on the table for us. We are open to considering different possibilities," noted the Estonian diplomat.
According to her, it may not be about "direct combat with Russians", but rather about training or certain special tasks.
Sillaste-Elling also emphasized that Ukraine is currently a priority for Estonia.
“What is a priority for us is all about Ukraine. Because Ukraine's victory has a direct impact on our security. Ukraine is fighting primarily for us right now, for our security, so we are doing everything we can to help,” she added.
Macron's initiative to send Western troops to Ukraine
In February, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine.
He later clarified that he was not talking about sending troops directly to take part in combat operations.
Some NATO countries said they were ready to consider such a possibility, but most allies did not support Macron's initiative.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also opposed it, stating that “there are no plans for NATO combat troops on the ground in Ukraine".
