Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Israel-Iran
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Europe and Eurasia / Major European powers are divided on Ukraine
Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

March 19, 2024

Major European powers are divided on Ukraine

By Daniel DePetris

It wasn’t long ago when French President Emmanuel Macron fancied himself as Europe’s Vladimir Putin whisperer — somebody who could call up the Russian authoritarian, have an even-keeled conversation and talk some sense into him. This is precisely what Macron tried to do in the lead-up to Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine. Four days before Putin gave the order, Macron, desperation in his voice, tried to test the Russian president’s interest in a diplomatic arrangement that could avert all-out war.

Macron’s gambit obviously didn’t work. Two years of destruction and hundreds of thousands of casualties later, the French president is no longer angling to be the one European head of state who understands Putin the best. Indeed, he has undergone a complete 180-degree pivot over the last several weeks, carving out a lane for himself as Europe’s most vociferous Russia hawk. The same man who once counseled Europe to avoid humiliating Russia is now giving numerous interviews on why Russia’s unconditional defeat is paramount. Macron even recommended that sending European ground troops into Ukraine shouldn’t be ruled out.

That proposal in particular has gotten him into trouble with his European colleagues. When Macron first unveiled it in late February, multiple European leaders came out immediately to, if not denounce it, then at least make it known that they had no interest in participating in such a scheme. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told the press that “there will be no ground troops, no soldiers on Ukrainian soil who are sent there by European states or NATO states.” Poland, one of Ukraine’s biggest supporters in Europe, expressed the same.

Macron, though, is stubborn. On Thursday, he argued that the West shouldn’t set limits for itself since Putin would simply take advantage of them. Embedded deep in Macron’s psyche is the concept of being as ambiguous as possible so the Russians are kept guessing. Europe’s other big power, Germany, doesn’t see it that way and has always drawn a line about what Berlin is — and isn’t — willing to do to see Putin’s invasion flame out. If Macron was trying to deliver a message to Putin that Europe was united on Ukraine policy, his remarks did the exact opposite.

Read at The Chicago Tribune

Author

Photo of Daniel DePetris

Daniel
DePetris

Fellow

Defense Priorities

More on Europe

op-edGrand strategy, Diplomacy, Europe and Eurasia

Hidden in the U.S. Army’s New Reform Initiative Is a Warning for Europe

By Jennifer Kavanagh

June 16, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Are the Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Going Anywhere?

By Daniel DePetris

June 3, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Drones, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Drone attack may do Ukraine more harm than good

By Jennifer Kavanagh

June 2, 2025

In the mediaUkraine‑Russia, Drones, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Daniel Davis on NBC News discusses Ukraine’s recent drone attacks inside Russia

Featuring Daniel Davis

June 2, 2025

In the mediaUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Why Trump can’t get ‘crazy’ Putin to end the war

Featuring Rajan Menon

May 29, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Is Trump’s unified Republican front fracturing over Russia?

By Daniel DePetris

May 28, 2025

Events on Europe and Eurasia

See All Events
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Air power, Diplomacy, Drones, Europe and Eurasia, Land power, Military analysis, Russia, Ukraine

Past Virtual Event: Ukraine’s critical choice: Pursue peace or fight on

April 16, 2025
virtualChina, Alliances, Balance of power, Diplomacy, Grand strategy, Russia

Past Virtual Event: China-Russia: Cooperation or a no-limits alliance?

April 3, 2025
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Past Virtual Event: Trump and Ukraine: Prolonging or ending the war

December 13, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved