GENEVA, December 13. /TASS/. Western countries hypocritically claim that the potential deployment of military personnel to Ukraine would not constitute direct involvement in the conflict with Russia, but such assertions do not reflect reality, former French officer and military analyst Guillaume Ancel said in an interview with the Swiss newspaper Le Temps.
According to the expert, the members of the Ramstein format contact group on military assistance to Ukraine are discussing the possibility of deploying Western troops to Ukraine's rear areas to support the Ukrainian armed forces and enable them to move to the frontlines. However, the expert noted that, in reality, "the frontlines no longer exist because half of the shelling is conducted from long-range distances."
"Let’s not deceive ourselves: even under this scenario, Western soldiers would be killed. Even if we claim we are not on the frontlines, it does not mean we are not directly participating in the conflict. We have joined the hypocrites’ ball," Ancel explained
"Although Europeans have been involved in the conflict from the very beginning by supplying ammunition, weapons, advisors, and intelligence, they refuse to acknowledge that they are at war. This is the true red line: to recognize this reality," the former officer added.
On November 25, the newspaper Le Monde, citing sources, reported that European countries had resumed discussions on the potential deployment of their troops or fighters from private military companies to the country. The publication linked this to the possible withdrawal of US support for Ukraine after Donald Trump takes office as US President on January 20, 2025. It was noted that several EU countries oppose these plans. French President Emmanuel Macron first mentioned such discussions in late February.