Zelenskyy names possible option of involving Western troops in defense of Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Getty Images)

The troops of partner countries can assist Ukraine in shooting down enemy missiles, as was the case with the attack on Israel, states Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"As for the troops on our territory. What troops? What was in Israel? Airplanes. Airplanes that fired missiles. If we are offered, for example, the aircraftof France, Germany, Poland, Britain, it doesn't matter who, which takes to the skies on the territories of their states, if this aircraft will rise over the territory of countries that are our neighbors and shoot down missiles that are definitely flying over Ukraine, but can also arrive in those territories, as has already been recorded with Poland and Romania, then let them shoot down these missiles. I will only be grateful for this. If we get such offers, why not," the president said.

At the same time, Zelenskyy noted that he had not heard from French President Emmanuel Macron a proposal to send his army to Ukraine.

"I have not heard such a signal that the French army will come to the territory of Ukraine and fight with us against Russia," he said.

Macron's idea to send troops

Earlier this spring, it was reported that the French president was considering sending French troops to Ukraine to help the Ukrainian armed forces defend themselves against Russian aggression.

RBC-Ukraine wrote that Macron did not rule out the possibility that NATO might send troops to help Ukraine. At the time, this statement sparked discussions among Ukraine's allies.

Most of the partner countries were opposed to sending their military to Ukraine, but several countries did say they were willing to consider such a possibility.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Macron meant that NATO troops would be sent to Ukraine for training.