Macron Discusses Sending Troops to Ukraine

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Global Recap
February 27, 2024 • Read in: 6 minutes

Hi Global Recap readers,

What a hectic day!

One President scarily floated an idea that may lead to WWIII, while his numerous allies quickly tried to throw him under the bus.

No doubt that his phone line was quite busy after his remarks…

France

Macron Discusses Sending Troops to Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron has raised the possibility of sending European soldiers to Ukraine to help Kyiv fight against Russia.

  • 🤝 Context. Macron hosted a summit with other European leaders to discuss the situation in Ukraine and seek a diplomatic solution.

  • 🚀 Missiles. Macron announced a new coalition to supply Ukraine with medium-range and long-range missiles to counter Russia’s aggression.

  • 🔥 Heat. Macron criticized Germany and other countries for being too slow and timid in supporting Ukraine, saying “We have to be humble and realize that we (have) always been six to eight months late.”

So far, Macron only suggested that mobilizing Western troops “should not be ruled out.” However, when this narrative becomes more normalized, it is very likely to be a real possibility.

NATO

Other NATO Allies Think Otherwise

Germany among other NATO allies dismissed Macron’s enthusiasm as unrealistic and provocative.

  • 🚫 No Boots. US, Germany, UK, Italy, Spain, Poland, Czech Republic, etc. distanced themselves from any suggestion they might commit ground troops to the Russia-Ukraine war.

  • 🇩🇪 Germany. Deputy Chancellor Robert Habeck rejected Macron’s proposal and said there was “no chance” of sending German soldiers to Ukraine.

  • 🇷🇺 Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that a conflict between Russia and NATO would be “inevitable” if the Western alliance sent troops to fight in Ukraine.

Although it seems like Macron merely floated the idea to bolster support for Ukraine, we shouldn’t simply brush it off.

The fact that such a narrative has even been suggested means it is a real possibility.

Belgium

Farmers Spray Manure at EU

Hundreds of farmers from across Europe staged a protest in the Belgian capital, demanding better support from the EU amid a crisis in the agricultural sector.

  • 👊 Clash. The protesters clashed with police, blocked roads with tractors, and sprayed manure and eggs at the officers and the European Council building.

  • 🔥 Anger. The farmers are angry at:

    • the EU’s environmental policies,

    • the drop in subsidies, and

    • the competition from cheap Ukrainian imports.

(Environmentally-conscious lawmakers just can’t have too many cows farting methane everywhere it seems.)

  • 👂 Listen. The EU’s agriculture ministers met in Brussels to discuss the situation and invited some farmers’ representatives for talks.

  • 🔄 Change. The ministers agreed that urgent and long-term measures are needed to help the farmers and ensure food security in Europe. But they are still adamant that “things cannot remain as they are.”

Middle East

Iran Orders Proxy Groups to Cool It

US President Biden (left) and the Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei (right)

The Iranian regime has reportedly instructed its terrorist proxies in the Middle East to refrain from attacking the US and its allies.

  • 🗒️ Context. The order comes after a rocket attack in Jordan killed three US soldiers and wounded several others earlier this month.

  • 🇮🇷 Iran. Iran has been accused of using proxy groups to destabilize the region and undermine the US presence and interests.

They’ve been putting on a defiant and brave face in front of the media, so this pullback is rather surprising.

According to Sina Azodi, an Iran security expert at George Washington University:

“They are scared of direct confrontation with the US, they know that if Americans are killed again it would mean war.”

Sina Azodi

US

Yellen’s Plan to Raid Russia’s Piggy Bank

It is no secret that the US has been struggling to reach a consensus on providing more aid to Ukraine.

So Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has a brilliant proposal to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction after years of war:

Liquidate Russia’s frozen assets.

  • 💰 Assets. The US and its allies have immobilized about $300 billion in Russian Central Bank funds as a sanction for Moscow’s aggression.

  • 🇺🇦 Ukraine. Yellen wants to “unlock the value” of these assets and send them to Ukraine for its “continued resistance and long-term reconstruction.”

  • 🌎 G20. Yellen is in Brazil for the G20 finance ministers meeting, where she hopes to rally support for her idea among other countries.