The Lithuanian ambassador to NATO, Deividas Matulionis, stated that Vilnius supports Paris's idea regarding the potential deployment of Western troops to Ukraine.
In a comment to "Radio Free Europe," he noted that if France decides to proceed, it does not require permission from the Alliance.
"These can be national decisions, a group of countries, a coalition that wishes to join this initiative. It's not necessary to have NATO's approval or label here," the diplomat explained.
At the same time, Matulionis acknowledged that the deployment of Western troops to Ukraine is currently "just an idea," with various countries having different proposals. However, the ambassador anticipates that this topic may be revisited by NATO foreign ministers at their meeting in Brussels next week.
Western Troops in Ukraine
In February and March of this year, French President Emmanuel Macron did not rule out the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine. Specifically, at a meeting with parliamentary parties, he stated that troop deployment to Ukraine could occur if Russian occupiers break through to Kyiv or Odesa.
Hungary and Germany reject the idea of deploying NATO troops to Ukraine.
Recently, Le Monde reported that secret discussions about sending troops to Ukraine have resumed in Europe.
"These delicate discussions, most of which are classified, have been revived in light of the potential withdrawal of American support for Kyiv following Donald Trump's inauguration," the article states.