France attempted to persuade Germany and the United States to refrain from publicly sharing the scope of Western participation in the Ukraine conflict, aiming to keep Russia uncertain about the West’s next moves. The Wall Street Journal reports this, citing unnamed sources familiar with the discussions.
According to the publication, French President Emmanuel Macron held discreet conversations with U.S. President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in February to set the stage for the Paris summit. The goal, as described, was to influence how the West would frame its approach to the Ukraine crisis in the weeks ahead.
Sources indicate that Macron argued for adopting a posture of strategic ambiguity toward Russia, a stance that would keep all options on the table and avoid firm commitments that could be interpreted as fixed red lines. In his view, the clarity of Western limits might constrain flexibility and potentially provoke a sharper confrontation, whereas ambiguity could deter premature escalation by keeping Moscow uncertain about the alliance’s boundaries.
The newspaper notes that Macron pressed to stop broadcasting explicit boundaries on Western intervention and instead maintain room for maneuver. The aim was to keep the Kremlin guessing about how the alliance might respond to various scenarios, thereby preserving strategic options for future decisions.
Unnamed officials quoted in the report indicated that Biden questioned the wisdom of altering the current approach, expressing concerns that any shift could heighten tensions or risk unintended escalation. Scholz, according to those briefed, did not fully endorse Macron’s position, fearing that a change in rhetoric might cause friction within the alliance and potentially draw more NATO members into the dispute on different sides.
During the talks with Biden and Scholz, Macron reportedly expressed a desire to use the forthcoming Paris summit to deliver a message to President Vladimir Putin. Although Scholz urged caution, Macron reportedly caught the room by surprise by suggesting that the deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine could not be categorically ruled out, a statement that drew mixed reactions from allies and observers alike.
Earlier comments from NATO officials described Macron’s remarks about soldiers in Ukraine as a signal, with some describing it as a positive sign that openness to varied options remains on the table. The discussions reportedly underscored the tension between keeping options open and maintaining unity within the alliance, especially given the risk of misaligned incentives among member states.
The broader context involves a critical moment for Western leadership as allied governments weigh the most appropriate balance between deterrence, political signaling, and avenues for de-escalation. Observers note that Paris, Washington, and Berlin appear to be navigating a delicate path that seeks to preserve cohesion while acknowledging the complexity of the situation on the ground in Ukraine. The unfolding conversations highlight the ongoing debate within the alliance about how to articulate limits, manage expectations, and respond to potential shifts in Russia’s posture.
With the summit approaching, analysts anticipate further clarification on whether Western powers will maintain a unified stance or acknowledge divergent views on intervention thresholds. The evolving narrative in Paris, Washington, and Berlin suggests that strategic ambiguity will remain a recurring feature of high-level diplomacy as leaders weigh the risks and benefits of different signaling strategies. The outcome of these deliberations could shape the tone and scope of Western involvement in Ukraine for months to come, influencing both military postures and diplomatic channels across North America and Europe.