Sending Troops to Ukraine Could Cause Problems for France, Russian Defense Minister Says

© PhotoRussian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu  - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 04.04.2024
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MOSCOW, April 3 (Sputnik) - Recently, the head of Russia's foreign intelligence service, Sergey Naryshkin, revealed that France is forming a contingent of 2,000 soldiers to send to Ukraine.
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu on Wednesday pointed out during a phone conversation with French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu that if Elysee Palace's statements about sending a French contingent to Ukraine are implemented, it would create problems for France itself.
The conversation was carried out at the urgent request of the French side, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Readiness for a dialogue on Ukraine has been noted, and the starting points could be based on the 'Istanbul Peace Initiative,' the Russian Defense Ministry stated.

"Readiness for a dialogue on Ukraine has been noted. The starting points could be based on the 'Istanbul Peace Initiative.' There is no point in holding a meeting in Geneva without Russia," the ministry said in a statement.

Memorial in the Serbian capital Belgrade dedicated to the victims of the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall near Moscow. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 01.04.2024
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"French defense minister expresses condolences over the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert hall on March 22, 2024," the ministry said in a statement.
Lecornu made "persistent attempts" to convince Shoigu that Ukraine and the West were not involved in the attack, and blamed it solely on the Daesh*.
"Sergei Shoigu emphasized that the investigation launched in connection with the terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall will certainly be brought to the end, and all those responsible will be punished," the ministry said.
There is information about the Ukrainian trace in the organization of the attack, the ministry added.
"The Kiev regime does nothing without the approval of its Western supervisors. We are counting on the fact that in this case the French security services are not behind it," the ministry said.
*Daesh is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries.
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