France plans to send instructors to Ukraine to train the military, Ukrinform reported.
This was announced by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi after a video meeting with the French Minister of Defense Sebastien Lecornu.
Syrskyi said he had already signed documents "that will allow the first French instructors to soon visit our training centers and familiarize themselves with the infrastructure and personnel."
His statement came after a New York Times report said some NATO member states were discussing sending military instructors to Ukraine to train Ukrainian troops and help repair Western equipment.
Kiev has asked the US and other NATO countries to help train 150,000 troops closer to the front line.
"I believe that France's determination will encourage other partners to join this ambitious project," General Syrskyi said today, without elaborating.
Paris has yet to make an official statement.
The debate over the potential presence of NATO troops in Ukraine was sparked by French President Emmanuel Macron's comments in February, when he did not rule out sending Western troops to Ukraine if requested and the situation warranted.
The US and numerous European allies, as well as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, distanced themselves from the French president's statement. However, several countries have not ruled out sending troops for non-combat missions such as training.
However, Macron stood by his proposal, saying again in May that he would consider sending French troops to Ukraine in the event of a Russian breakthrough or a Ukrainian request. /BGNES
