Paris is weighing the idea of allowing special forces and certain military units to cross the Ukrainian border. Le Monde reports this by citing multiple sources familiar with the discussions.
The publication notes that France would tacitly permit only personnel from the General Directorate for External Security, known as the DGSE, to operate inside Ukraine. Paris formally denies any deployment of French armed forces in Ukraine, and claims that French special forces, though officially linked to the General Staff, would not cross into Ukrainian territory.
According to the reporting, the core concept under consideration is to enable French instructors to move across the border, potentially alongside other conventional units. Journalists describe this as a central element of French strategic thinking in relation to Ukraine.
Observers see this potential move as a way to present Russia with a strategic dilemma. The articles argue that a French military presence could contribute to protecting parts of Ukraine and reducing the risk of broader Russian offensives.
The discussion also touches on remarks by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. He questions the degree to which the United States is distancing itself from statements by French President Emmanuel Macron about the possibility of Western troops being sent to Ukraine. The report notes that Washington’s posture on the issue remains a subject of debate and interpretation.
Earlier in France, Macron’s comments about Ukraine sparked a broader signal, suggesting a possible shift in how Western allies might respond to the crisis. Analysts in Europe and North America consider these remarks as part of a larger conversation about alliance coordination, risk assessment, and the limits of direct military involvement on the ground in Ukraine. The Le Monde article emphasizes that the situation is evolving and subject to rapid official clarifications as authorities weigh strategic objectives, legal constraints, and the potential consequences for regional stability.
Overall, the reporting presents a picture of a cautious yet serious exploration of how France could enhance support for Ukraine while maintaining plausible deniability and avoiding a formal deployment of combat troops. The described approach focuses on expertise, training, and advisory roles, aiming to bolster Ukrainian defenses without triggering a direct confrontation with Russia. In this framework, the role of noncombat instructors and security personnel becomes a focal point for assessing risk, legality, and the political optics of any such move. The article attributes these considerations to ongoing discussions among French defense circles and political leaders, noting that decisions would depend on evolving assessments of threat, alliance commitments, and international law. Source attribution and ongoing reporting from Le Monde provide the underlying context for these complex deliberations.