Italian government officials have admonished French President Emmanuel Macron for his “dangerous” and “desperate” comments about the war in Ukraine, including hinting at sending in NATO troops.
President Macron, who was initially one of the main proponents of peace talks between Kiev and Moscow, has increasingly become one of the most hawkish voices within the European Union. In the past week alone, the French leader has hinted at arming the EU with nuclear weapons in view of the supposed threat from Russia, and has threatened to arm NATO with nuclear weapons if Russia breaches the Ukrainian front and Kiev requests assistance. He doubled down on his proposal to send troops to war. About foreign soldiers.
Macron’s comments have drawn criticism from Italy, a NATO ally and EU member that flatly denies sending Italian troops to the conflict.
The harshest rebuke came from Matteo Salvini, deputy prime minister and leader of the Populist Alliance party. I have written On social media: “Sending Italian soldiers to fight outside the EU’s borders? Following the tenacity of dangerous and desperate European leaders like Macron? No, never in the name of the League.”
On the other hand, at some point, interview with Corriere della Sera newspaper, “I do not mean to criticize the president of a friendly country like France, but I cannot understand the purpose or usefulness of such a declaration, which objectively heightens tensions,” Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crossetto said.
“Our position remains unchanged. We have always said that Ukraine needs to be supported in every possible way, and we do so, but we have also always ruled out direct military intervention in the conflict.” said.
“As always, we will continue to provide assistance as long as it is helpful and in our power to do so.”
Macron proposes arming EU with nuclear weapons for ‘credible’ defensehttps://t.co/0XT5NvIJuW
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) April 28, 2024
in interview together on the weekend La TribuneMr Macron defended his recent comments as an attempt at “strategic ambiguity”.
Russia unilaterally decided to attack the sovereign state of Ukraine in February 2022 and therefore decided not to respect international law, the Charter of the United Nations…Russia is a destabilizing force that does not impose strategic limits on its actions. It was determined to become a great power. And President Putin has always brandished nuclear threats.
“What weakness, what weakness, in the face of such an enemy, to draw out the limits a priori!” On the contrary, it is what creates deterrence; All visibility must be removed.
“Ukraine is 1,500 kilometers from the border, so the safety of Europeans is at risk. Any security becomes impossible. Russia’s ballistic missile capabilities and range put us all at risk.”
“Russia’s excitement shows that we are right not to close any doors. Otherwise, it means agreeing to abandon the law-based international order and therefore peace and security.” he concluded.
Mr. Macron is not alone in slowly increasing interest in Ukraine, with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron saying Kiev has the right to use British-supplied missiles and other weapons inside Russia. Ta.
“Ukraine has that right. I can understand why Ukraine feels the need to ensure its own defense, just as Russia is attacking inside Ukraine,” the former British Prime Minister said. Told. Said Reuters on Thursday.
Prime Minister David Cameron, speaking from Ukraine, said Britain would provide 3 billion pounds ($3.74 billion) in military aid to Ukraine each year “for as long as it is needed”.
World War III Watch: Macron sends troops to Ukraine for the first time, Moscow warns of ‘inevitable’ war with NATOhttps://t.co/NjQbqHsN1Q
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) February 27, 2024
