France is
accelerating its deployment of troops in Romania to strengthen NATO’s position in the eastern
flank as the Russian force invaded Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. French
President Emmanuel Macron announced his decision on Friday.
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Addressing
the media after an emergency meeting with European Union leaders, Macron said
he was “accelerating” the dispatch of forces. According to news agency AFP, it
is part of a broader push by NATO allies to reinforce their strength in the
eastern members, with thousands of troops mobilised.
Meanwhile,
the United States said on Thursday that it was sending another 7,000 troops to
Germany. NATO is looking to establish battle groups in the southeast of the
alliance, including in Romania. France has offered to lead the new deployment
in that country.
“Respond without weakness”
Macron
also warned Russia of the dire consequences of its attack on Ukraine. “We
will respond without weakness to this act of war, with calm, determination and
unity,” he said.
The
French president said that the ongoing tension is a “turning point in the
history of Europe and our country” that would have “deep and lasting
consequences for our lives”.
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Meanwhile,
though the European Union announced sanctions on Russia, it did not include the
import of Russian gas into the EU zone.
Earlier
Macron said that the sanctions agreed against Russia would be “up to”
the scale of the aggression Moscow had launched.
Also Read: China condemns ‘illegal’ Western sanctions on Russia, urges diplomacy instead
“In
the military, economic and energy domains we will be without weakness,” he
said.
Diplomatic effort didn’t yield a positive result
It must
be noted that France had repeatedly spoken to President Vladimir Putin seeking
a diplomatic solution to the standoff but the effort went in vain.
Also Read: Ukraine army starts drafting reservists aged 18-60 amid Russian invasion threat
After the
talk did not yield a positive with Russia attacking Ukraine on February 24,
Macron has not spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Macron
said that the “massive” Russian attack on Ukraine was “contrary
to all the commitments made by the Russian authorities”.
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“By
going back on his word and refusing the diplomatic path and choosing war,
President Putin not only decided to attack Ukraine, he decided to tarnish the
whole sovereignty of Ukraine,” said Macron.
“He
decided to inflict the most significant damage on peace and stability in Europe
for decades,” Macron added, insisting that France and its partners had
“done everything” to try and avert the crisis.
