France may soon send military instructors to Ukraine despite concerns from some allies and criticism from Russia, and may announce its decision during the visit of the Ukrainian president next week, three diplomats said, Reuters and BTA reported.
They said Paris hopes to create and lead a coalition of countries offering such assistance to Kiev's military efforts, although some of its European Union partners fear that this could lead to direct conflict with Russia.
The information was also reported by the French newspaper "Le Monde", which did not cite sources.
France will initially send a limited number of troops to assess the conditions of the mission before sending several hundred instructors, two of the diplomats said.
The training will focus on mine clearance, equipment storage and technical expertise for military aircraft that will be provided by the West, they said. Paris will also finance, arm and train a Ukrainian motorized brigade.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit France on June 6, the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings of Allied troops during World War II. He will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris the following day.
On Monday, the commander of the Ukrainian army said he had signed documents allowing French military instructors to visit Ukrainian training centers.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sees the presence of regular French troops in Ukraine as a step towards a global conflict.
France has trained about 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, but has done so within the framework of the EU. The new mission will not be under the auspices of the EU or NATO, diplomats said.
In the past, the Baltic states have indicated that they could join France in a project to send military instructors to Ukraine, Reuters recalls.
The issue was discussed by EU defense ministers, but no common position was reached, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.