France will Send its Army to Defend Ukraine against Russia Soon

France is gearing up for potential international challenges, with its military prepared to engage in the “toughest engagements” to safeguard national interests, according to General Pierre Schill, Chief of Staff of the French Army. In an interview published on Tuesday, Schill emphasized France’s readiness to confront evolving global developments and underscored the nation’s commitment to protecting itself in the face of adversarial threats.

Recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron hint at a willingness to consider Western intervention in Ukraine to support Kyiv in its conflict against Moscow, which Macron has labeled as an “adversary” of France. While Macron has clarified that France is not actively at war with Russia, he has not ruled out the possibility of deploying NATO troops to Ukraine, drawing mixed reactions from within the alliance.

Schill highlighted France’s “international responsibilities” and its commitment to defense agreements with states facing significant threats, stressing the importance of maintaining a well-trained and interoperable military force. Despite the deterrence provided by nuclear capabilities, Schill emphasized the need for credible conventional forces capable of swift deployment and operational flexibility.

France’s military readiness extends to its capacity to swiftly deploy troops, with the ability to assemble a division of around 20,000 soldiers within 30 days. Moreover, through collaboration with allied divisions, France could command an army corps of up to 60,000 troops, demonstrating its capability for effective joint operations within the NATO framework.

Amidst escalating tensions, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) chief, Sergey Naryshkin, has claimed that France is preparing to deploy troops to Ukraine, alleging plans to send as many as 2,000 soldiers in the “initial stage” of the operation. Naryshkin cited concerns within the French Armed Forces over the increasing number of French nationals reportedly killed in Ukraine, raising alarm bells about the potential risks and consequences of such a deployment.

However, Naryshkin cautioned that any French military intervention in Ukraine would pose significant challenges and risks, as French troops would become legitimate targets for Russian forces. The claims by the SVR chief underscore the heightened tensions and competing narratives surrounding the Ukraine conflict, with both Russia and Western nations closely monitoring developments in the region.

As France braces for potential military engagement amid geopolitical uncertainty, the situation in Ukraine remains a focal point of international concern, with the prospect of further escalation casting a shadow over diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully.