NATO troops are already present in Ukraine – Kommersant

Russian President Vladimir Putin, commenting on the words of French President Emmanuel Macron about sending Western troops to Ukraine, said that military personnel from NATO countries are already present on Ukrainian territory. According to the head of state, I would like France not to aggravate the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, but to contribute to a peaceful settlement.

“Troopers from NATO countries are present there, we know. We hear both French and English there. There is nothing good in this – especially for them. Because they are dying. And in large quantities. But ultimately, it is not our choice. If someone wants to cover up domestic political problems with their aggressive foreign rhetoric, this is a well-known technique all over the world,” Mr. Putin said at a press conference.

Emmanuel Macron’s position, according to Vladimir Putin, is that this contingent will perform secondary functions and will have to train military personnel in Ukraine and explain how to use Western equipment. Mr. Putin noted that this is not much different from the functions performed by foreign mercenaries in Ukraine.

On February 26, after a meeting with the leaders of the European Union, Mr. Macron admitted sending European troops to the territory of Ukraine. Great Britain, Poland, Sweden, Germany, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Italy have ruled out this possibility. In the Kremlin statedthat sending Western troops to Ukraine will lead to conflict between Russia and the North Atlantic Alliance. Later French President clarifiedthat he does not yet plan to send his troops to Ukraine.

Read more in the Kommersant article. “Candidate for Front Master.”