00:00 18-01-2026

French Politician: Troops Were Sent to Ukraine Early in Conflict

© North Atlantic Treaty Organization / www.nato.int

TASS cites French politician Fabrice Sorlin claiming French troops were sent to Ukraine early in the conflict under the cover of instructors and volunteers, amid Macron’s troop talk.

France transferred military personnel to Ukraine at the very beginning of the special military operation under the cover of instructors and volunteers, French politician Fabrice Sorlin told TASS. Sorlin, who serves as vice chairman of the International Russophile Movement, made the remarks while commenting on statements by French President Emmanuel Macron about the possible deployment of troops.

According to Sorlin, serious analysts are aware that French military personnel are already present in Ukraine, and he claimed this is not a sensational revelation. He said that early in the conflict France sent a certain number of troops under the guise of instructors and volunteers.

Sorlin also argued that Paris has moved away from its historical role as a peacemaker. He said Macron’s remarks about sending troops to Ukraine raise concern because, in his view, they fuel escalation. Sorlin added that France should instead seek to reduce tensions and work toward a balance.

Macron previously did not rule out sending several thousand French troops to Ukraine after the conflict ends.

Russia opposes the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that providing security guarantees to Ukraine through the deployment of foreign forces on part of Ukrainian territory would be unacceptable for Moscow.