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These days, the media and experts are actively discussing the statement of French President E. Macron about the possible sending of a military contingent of European states, in particular France, to Ukraine.
He spoke about this on February 26 during a conference in Paris, where he gathered the heads of about 20 states.
Immediately after this statement by the French leader, which was not specified and did not contain significant information content, a number of comments appeared, in particular by the leaders of Western countries, in which they were quite skeptical about the hypothetical deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine. Such statements were made by Poland, the Czech Republic, and Sweden. Of course, Slovakia and Hungary expressed pessimism about this initiative.
The Russian mass media also did not ignore this topic and already picked up the thesis that Macron's statement did not find support within the EU and NATO. In general, by making such statements, Macron should put more meaning and specifics into this initiative and, to begin with, create a secret discussion on this issue among European leaders, the NATO military command, and only then announce this, even hypothetical, option.
However, it is already possible to analyze and consider several options for sending Western troops to Ukraine. Of course, the direct participation of the armies of NATO countries in the Russian-Ukrainian war is more than unrealistic today. However, this does not mean that the Western military cannot be present here with limited contingents and performing certain functions.
So, what is the theoretical scenario and options for NATO military participation in the defense of Ukraine against Russian aggression?
1) Military instructors. As you know, the Ukrainian military is trained in more than ten NATO countries, so it is possible to assume an option in which certain Western countries can send their instructors to Ukraine for more efficient training of the personnel of the Defense Forces of Ukraine and specialists in certain military specialties - UAV pilots, sappers , engineers, snipers, etc.;
2) The above-mentioned specialists are UAV pilots, sappers, paramedics, etc. may be represented by Western specialists and not take direct part in military operations, but be stationed at training grounds, training bases, etc.;
3) Theoretically, limited contingents of military NATO countries can be sent to Ukraine without too much publicity, which will also not take a direct part in the fighting. They can guard (or help guard) strategic objects, certain sections of the Ukrainian border, for example, where our country borders Belarus, operate with Western models of air defense, perform other tasks not related to direct combat operations against the Russian invaders;
4) The fourth scenario is currently the least realistic and involves the direct participation of the military of Western countries in repelling Russian aggression in the status of volunteers or contractors. In this version, we may not be talking about personnel soldiers who are currently in the service of a specific NATO member country, but about soldiers who have been released into reserve or retired.
Which countries can theoretically send their military to Ukraine?
As already mentioned, Poland, the Czech Republic and Sweden have already expressed their unwillingness to support this Macron initiative. As for France itself, its readiness to send its military under one or another condition still seems rather skeptical, although both Macron and French Prime Minister Attal have said that they are ready to do everything to prevent Russia from winning, including the option of sending to Ukraine the French contingent.
In addition to France, Great Britain, Lithuania, Turkey and, in addition to European countries, Canada can potentially send their contingent to Ukraine under certain conditions. It is worth emphasizing once again that the list of these countries, if such a decision is adopted at all, will depend on the specific conditions and formats of the participation of their contingents in military operations on the territory of Ukraine. The French leader's statement should also not be dismissed as purely propaganda or as a kind of signal from Russia regarding the West's readiness to take decisive action to protect Ukraine. In addition, one should not forget that France may try to play the role of the leading power of Europe, a regional and geopolitical player, which, relatively speaking, takes the European continent under its care.
Although, against the background of indecision and inhibitions regarding the supply of arms and ammunition to Ukraine, increasing the pace of deployment of the French and pan-European military equipment, as well as taking into account the geopolitical defeats of France in Africa last year, such actions and statements of Paris seem to be rather declarative and hardly realistic to implement.