Overview
- Speaking on France 2, Emmanuel Macron said a post‑ceasefire deployment could involve several thousand French soldiers who would not take part in combat.
- Macron stressed any mission would occur only after peace is secured, would be planned rather than immediate, and would operate under France’s existing overseas operations framework.
- He framed the move within a Paris‑led effort that in September 2025 saw 26 countries express readiness to provide deterrent forces in Ukraine after a ceasefire.
- Macron said contacts are being reorganized for a possible conversation with Putin in the coming weeks, with the stated objective of achieving peace without Ukraine’s capitulation.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on December 21 that Putin is prepared for dialogue with Macron and that any exchange should focus on understanding each side’s position.