NEW YORK, April 3. /TASS/. France does not intend to turn to its NATO allies in case Russia strikes its servicemen whom Paris may send to the special military operation zone, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing the country’s President Emmanuel Macron.

According to him, there is no need to involve NATO and the US if Russia strikes French troops. As an example, he cited France's military campaigns in Africa, where the country suffered losses without addressing its allies.

On February 26, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that during a meeting in Paris where representatives of around 20 Western states discussed further support for Kiev in the conflict with Moscow, the possibility of sending ground troops to Ukraine was raised. According to the French leader, participants did not reach a consensus on this issue, but such a scenario cannot be ruled out in the future. He later clarified his statement, explaining that "not ruling something out does not mean doing it." After the conference, representatives of most participating countries stated that they do not plan to send troops to Ukraine and are against their involvement in combat actions against Russia. However, the French leader, despite the criticism, assured that his words were "balanced, thoughtful and calibrated" and reiterated that he does not rule out the possibility of sending the military.

Later, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said that by sending troops to Ukraine, Macron meant sending the military to train Ukrainian servicemen in the country, not outside it.