Macron says sending ground troops to Ukraine not ruled out; Russia will go to war with Nato if troops are deployed to Ukraine _ Kremlin

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday invited leaders and ministers from more than 20 countries to Paris to discuss support for Ukraine, as Russia’s invasion of the country goes into its third year. Attendees included representatives from the United States and Europe.

After the meeting, Macron told reporters that various discussions were held freely and frankly about the situation in Ukraine.

He said while there was no consensus at this stage, nothing should be excluded. He said France’s position is to not clarify its strategy because its goal is to not let Russia win. Macron did not disclose details of the exchanges between participants.

Macron has not ruled out the option of sending ground troops to Ukraine.

“Nothing should be excluded. We will do everything that we must so that Russia does not win,” Macron said.

Reuters and other media reported ahead of the meeting that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who opposes giving military aid to Ukraine, said some countries are considering sending troops there.

The participants at the meeting are said to have agreed to form a new framework aimed at providing Ukraine with more medium- to long-range missiles.

As the United States remains unclear over whether it will continue sending military aid to Ukraine, France has taken the initiative, with many countries joining hands in support.

But Kremlin has warned that a conflict between Russia and Nato would be inevitable if European members of the alliance send troops to fight in Ukraine.

Asked about Mr Macron’s remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that if it came to pass, talks would have to change to the inevitability of a Nato-Russia conflict.

“In that case, we would need to talk not about the probability, but about the inevitability (of a direct conflict),” Mr Peskov said.

Discussion by Western democracies of direct military intervention in Ukraine’s war against Russia is good and shows awareness of the risk to Europe from Russian aggression, a senior Ukrainian presidential official told Reuters.

“This shows, firstly, an absolute awareness of the risks posed to Europe by a militaristic, aggressive Russia,” presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said.

Jens Stoltenberg, Nato’s secretary-general, said there are no plans for Nato combat troops on the ground in Ukraine.