The Russian-Ukrainian war has returned to the spotlight of the French media, but in a much “closer” context to the French themselves.

On French television, they began to seriously discuss scenarios for the deployment of French troops in Ukraine. In particular, the corresponding story was published on the LCI news channel and is now also available on its YouTube channel.

Journalists invited military historian and analyst Vincent Arbaretier to the studio of the news program, with whom they discussed, in particular, where exactly French troops could be stationed in Ukraine.

Standing at a large map, the analyst identified two potential locations where French battalions could appear – along the Dnieper and along the border with Belarus.

According to Arbaretier, the deployment of French troops along the Dnieper would be an unambiguous signal to the Russian Federation, where the “red line” lies, which the Russian army cannot cross. At the same time, the deployment of the French on the border with Belarus would be a guarantee of security for the capital Kyiv.

The analyst does not rule out that France could implement both scenarios at the same time. According to his calculations, to carry out these tasks the French command will have to use about 20 thousand soldiers assembled in mobile brigades.

The prospect of French troops appearing in Ukraine

As wrote, at the end of February, French President Emmanuel Macron made an unexpected statement that he had discussed the issue of possible sending of troops to Ukraine with his allies and that such a scenario cannot be ruled out. Later he confirmed this thesis, but noted that now there is no agreement on this.

According to the French newspaper Le Monde, the French leadership has been thinking about the possible sending of troops to Ukraine for a long time – at least since last summer. According to sources, in February Macron said in a private circle that he would probably have to send a small contingent to Odessa this year.