Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that any French military instructors sent to Ukraine would be considered a “legitimate target” for Russian forces. Lavrov’s remarks came after Ukrainian officials announced their intention to seek training assistance from France for their troops.
Lavrov made these comments during a joint news conference on Tuesday with Jean Claude Gakosso, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Congo. “As for the French instructors, I think they are already on Ukrainian territory,” Lavrov said. “Regardless of their status, military officials or mercenaries represent a legitimate target for our armed forces.”
Last week, Ukraine’s top commander disclosed that paperwork had been signed to allow French military instructors to access Ukrainian training centers. French President Emmanuel Macron, when asked about this, refrained from commenting on “rumors or decisions that could be made.” He mentioned that he would discuss France’s support for Ukraine during events later this week commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which will also be attended by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy.
Macron’s office on Tuesday declined to comment on Lavrov’s statements. There is currently no evidence that French instructors are present in Ukraine.
Lavrov’s recent remarks are part of a broader pattern of diplomatic activity as Russia seeks to bolster support in Africa amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Many African nations have increasingly turned to Russia for assistance in combating Islamic insurgencies, expressing frustration with traditional Western partners like France and the United States.
During his Tuesday news conference, Lavrov also criticized the upcoming Ukraine peace conference scheduled to take place in Switzerland later this month. Russia, which controls approximately 18 percent of Ukrainian territory, has not been invited to the conference. Lavrov dismissed the event, saying, “The only meaning it can have is to try to preserve this anti-Russian bloc which is in the process of crumbling.”
Switzerland announced that over 80 delegations have confirmed their attendance at the conference. China, a close ally of Moscow, has stated it will not attend.
The Republic of the Congo was the second stop on Lavrov’s African tour. He visited Guinea on Monday, meeting with the country’s foreign minister. Late on Tuesday, Lavrov arrived in Burkina Faso, where he is scheduled to meet with the country’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, on Wednesday. He is expected to visit Chad later the same day.
