Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that it is necessary to find out whether French troops will be in Ukraine, and then to consider options, reports Izvestia. At a news conference held in China, the Russian leader was asked whether the presence of French troops in Ukraine would mean the beginning of a war.

"I am not the president of France, I do not make decisions [for France] (…). First you will get the answer to your question whether or not there will be [French] troops there [in Ukraine]. And then we will consider the consequences of this step," Putin responded. On May 2, French President Emmanuel Macron had stated once again that he does not rule out the possibility of sending troops from Europe to Ukraine.

And on May 11, the head of France had stressed that Europe should be ready to restrain Russia if Moscow "goes too far" in the Ukraine conflict. He had noted that France is a "country of peace" and should be a "deterrent factor."