Macron Faces EU And Nato Backlash After Talk Of Sending Troops To Ukraine

Emmanuel Macron has faced criticism from France's Nato and European Union partners and a warning of conflict from Russia after he suggested it may be necessary to send ground troops to Ukraine.

- Patrick Wintour Angelique Chrisafis Paris Miranda Bryant Stockholm

Following a high-level meeting in Paris of mainly European partners to discuss what urgent steps could be taken to shore up Ukraine in the wake of Russia's recent frontline advances, the French president told a press conference he did not rule out that troops could be sent.

He said he accepted no consensus existed for the plan at the Paris meeting, but in a taboo-breaking move said nothing should be ruled

out to achieve the defeat of Russia and the maintenance of security in Europe. "Today there is no consensus about sending ground troops in an official way, standing up for it and taking responsibility for it," he said.

Allies were quick to rule out sending combat troops to Ukraine. The White House National Security Council spokeswoman, Adrienne Watson, said: "President Biden has been clear that the US will not send troops to fight in Ukraine." The Kremlin warned that the appearance of Nato troops in Ukraine would make a direct confrontation with Russia inevitable.

Nato also announced yesterday afternoon there were "no plans for Nato combat troops" in Ukraine.

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, rejected the idea, as did Downing Street. Sweden's prime minister,

Ulf Kristersson, also ruled out sending troops, appearing irritated that the proposal had surfaced on the day the final hurdle for his country joining Nato had been cleared.