France is considering sending military instructors to Ukraine to train its troops, according to multiple reports. The decision comes as tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to escalate.
The French government has not yet officially confirmed the deployment of military personnel, but sources close to the matter have indicated that discussions are ongoing and an announcement could be made in the coming days.
According to Reuters, France may send several hundred instructors to Ukraine initially for assessing training needs before deploying a larger contingent. The training is expected to focus on demining, equipment maintenance, and technical expertise for military aircraft.
Ukraine's top commander, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, had reportedly signed paperwork permitting France to send military instructors. Ukraine has previously received training from its NATO allies in various capacities since Russia's invasion in February 2022.
The French Ministry of the Armed Forces stated that the deployment of French military instructors to Ukraine is still under consideration. However, some diplomats have suggested that an announcement could be made during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to France next week.
France has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine and has provided significant humanitarian aid since the conflict began. French President Emmanuel Macron has advocated for a tougher stance against Russia, and Moscow has threatened to target French troops if they were to appear in Ukrainian territory.
The Kyiv Post reported that discussions between Ukraine and France on this issue are ongoing. The newspaper also noted that while French, British, and American special forces trainers have been assumed to be in Ukraine already, this is the first public acknowledgement of trainers planning to stay for prolonged periods.
It is important to note that all sources should be approached with a critical eye and fact-checked thoroughly before drawing any conclusions. The situation in Ukraine remains complex and volatile, and it is crucial that accurate information is reported.
