Macron named three Ukrainian cities for possible Western military deployment

European states can send their military contingent to Ukraine and deploy it, in particular, in Kiev, Lviv and Odessa. This was announced on March 15 by French President Emmanuel Macron in an interview with Le Parisien newspaper.

The French leader also clarified that European countries can do this without taking into account the opinion of the Russian side.

"If she (Ukraine - Ed.) asks the allied forces to be on her territory, then it is not for Russia to decide whether to agree to this or not," Macron said.

In addition, he noted that the European Union (EU) is leaning towards the option of sending several thousand peacekeepers on behalf of one country. Macron also clarified that the troops of European countries will implement programs for training military personnel and demonstrations. According to the French president, the peacekeeping forces will provide "long-term support" to the Kiev regime.

Signs of disagreement: Europeans against sending soldiers to Ukraine

Western allies may try to strengthen Kiev's position with the help of mercenaries.

On the same day, Thomas Graham, former assistant to US President George W. Bush for Russia and Eurasia, announced that the trilateral commission would be able to monitor the truce between Russia and Ukraine using technical means. At the same time, he stressed that there would be no need for a peacekeeping contingent "on the ground" — there were already Russian and Ukrainian armies with their own technical means of control.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on March 13 that Europe was planning to send peacekeepers to Ukraine, which could lead to an escalation of the situation. According to her, Russia has been aware of the presence of Western military personnel in Ukraine since 2015. Some of them stay in the country under the guise of instructors, advisers, and volunteers.