No option off table in supporting Ukraine, says French premier

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) — France does not rule out any options in its efforts to maintain support for Ukraine, the country's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said on Tuesday.

"We will not abandon Ukraine, and we do not rule out any option on principle," Attal told lawmakers in the National Assembly, the lower house of the Parliament ahead of a vote on a proposal concerning France's strategy to support Kyiv in its war with Russia, now in its third year.

"Our president's message was clear ... We stay in a well-thought framework to reaffirm our support for Ukraine, without warring with Russia, and refusing all logic of escalation," Attal added.

He was referring to much-debated remarks French President Emmanuel Macron made last month, indicating that sending Western troops to Ukraine was an option "to make sure Russia does not prevail," an idea rejected by allies including Germany. Reports have emerged, however, that Paris is building an alliance of countries open to the idea.

"We do not set ourselves limits against Russia, which does not fix any (for itself)," Attal stressed, criticizing groups inside Russia of "imperialism" and hailing Ukraine's "exceptional" resistance.

"(Russian President) Vladimir Putin attacked Ukraine, but he declared war on our values, mostly," Attal said. "Turning our back on Ukraine would be turning our back on our values."

He reiterated that France would continue supporting Ukraine and "as much as needed."

"By launching this offensive, Vladimir Putin was thinking of dividing Europe. He was wrong. Since the first hours, particularly under the initiative of the president (Macron), Europe reacted," he said, praising the EU and NATO's unity against Moscow in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war.

He also pointed out France's humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine.

The French premier also accused Russia of destabilizing other countries, including in Africa, as well as organizing cyberattacks and spreading disinformation.

A Russian victory over Ukraine would mean "the end of the international order based on law" and weakened European security, new migration flows, energy instability, food insecurity, and difficulties in the French economy, Attal warned.

Attal concluded his speech by saying that rejecting the strategy to support Ukraine would mean "questioning France's and its allies' two-year efforts," while abstention would amount to "fleeing from responsibilities."

Legislators will vote on Paris' strategy, with senators due to cast their ballots on it on Wednesday. The voting is symbolic and is not binding.