Macron to Speak with Putin as France Plans Peacekeeping Troops in Ukraine

The Kabul Tribune (KT) - French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the coming weeks to reaffirm Europe’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, according to Ukrainian media.

Speaking after the “Coalition of the Willing” summit in Paris, Macron said France could deploy thousands of soldiers to Ukraine—but stressed that they would serve as reassurance forces, not combat troops, following a potential ceasefire.

The president added that the United States would take the lead in monitoring the ceasefire to ensure compliance, marking a new level of cooperation between the coalition, Ukraine, and the U.S.

At the summit, Ukraine, France, and the United Kingdom signed a declaration to develop a joint Franco-British force in Ukraine, designed to deter further Russian aggression.

In September 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that foreign troops in Ukraine could be considered legitimate military targets.