France's suggestion that Ukraine's allies could potentially send ground troops into Ukraine has caused indignation and outrage in Russia, with officials warning that it could provoke a direct conflict between Russia and NATO member states.
Eyebrows were raised Monday when French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that European heads of state and Western officials, who met in Paris on Monday, had talked about the possibility of sending ground troops into Ukraine.
"There is no consensus today to officially, openly, and with endorsement, send troops on the ground.
Moscow was quick to seize on the comments, with the Kremlin's Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov telling reporters Tuesday that if European NATO members sent troops to fight in Ukraine it would make a conflict between Russia and NATO inevitable.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also weighed in, advising any countries considering sending troops to Ukraine to "use their heads," news agency TASS added.
Persons:
Emmanuel Macron, Macron, Dmitry Peskov, Sergei Lavrov, Lavrov
Organizations:
NATO, Kremlin's, TASS
Locations:
Ukraine, Russia, Western, Paris, Moscow, Europe