French president Emmanuel Macron announced Monday new steps to boost Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion, saying not even the sending of Western ground troops was ruled out to achieve Europe's goal of defeating Moscow., reports FRANCE 24.
Speaking after hosting a meeting of two dozen European leaders to discuss Ukraine, Macron painted a grim picture of a Russia whose positions he said were "hardening" both at home and on the battlefield.
"We are convinced that the defeat of Russia is indispensible to security and stability in Europe," he said.
Russia, he said, was showing a "more aggressive attitude not just in Ukraine but in general".
While there was "no consensus" on the sending of Western ground troops to Ukraine, "nothing should be excluded. We will do whatever it takes to ensure that Russia cannot win this war," he said.
He refused to say more about France's position, citing the need for "strategic ambiguity" but saying the issue was mentioned among the "options".
Slovak prime minister Robert Fico was quoted as saying some EU and NATO members were weighing the option.