‘French army fits in one football stadium’: Politician mocks troop deployment to Ukraine
A French politician has dismissed proposals to deploy French troops to Ukraine, pointing out that such a move would not affect the frontlines, given that the entire French army could fit inside a single football stadium.
Fabrice Sorlin, vice chairman of the International Russophile Movement, told TASS in an interview published on Monday that France army’s military capabilities are very limited and its military-industrial complex is essentially dead.
“Let’s look at this realistically. From a purely military standpoint, France sending a few thousand troops would not affect the situation on the ground in Donbass in any way. Russia is winning and will continue to win,” Sorlin said.
His comments came in response to French President Emmanuel Macron talking earlier this month about France having the potential for the deployment of about 10,000 soldiers to Ukraine.
“In addition, France currently has very limited military capabilities. Its military-industrial complex is essentially dead,” Sorlin noted.
“The infantry comprises roughly 80,000 people, including administrative staff. The whole French army could fit into the Stade de France, a single football stadium. A few thousand servicemen will not change much,” he added.
According to Sorlin, Paris has significantly exhausted its military equipment supporting Kiev.
“France gave Ukraine almost all of its Caesar self-propelled artillery systems. They have been either destroyed or seized as trophies by the Russian army. We have almost no tanks left. There is very little military equipment remaining,” he concluded.
Sorlin noted that France had deployed military personnel under the label of instructors and volunteers to Ukraine right after Russia kicked off its special military operation in February 2022.
He cited analysts who believe the French military still maintains its presence in Ukraine.
The French politician warned that the move would escalate the conflict.
Macron has previously not ruled out the possibility of sending thousands of French troops to Ukraine, claiming Paris does not need Moscow’s permission to deploy its troops in the eastern Europe, or elsewhere, the Elysee deems necessary.
The Kremlin views the deployment of troops to Ukraine from NATO member states as an act of aggression.
Any provision of security guarantees to Ukraine through the deployment of foreign forces on part of Ukrainian territory is “unacceptable” to Russia.
Russia says Moscow’s response to foreign troops deployed in Ukraine will be to attack them as legitimate military targets.
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