French president raised the prospect of Western troops in Ukraine. What was he thinking?

French President Emmanuel Macron appeared isolated on the European stage this week after saying the possibility of Western troops being sent to Ukraine could not be ruled out, a comment that prompted an outcry from other leaders.

French officials later sought to clarify Macron's remarks and tamp down the backlash, while insisting on the need to send a clear signal to Russia that it cannot win in Ukraine.

The Kremlin warned that if NATO sends combat troops, a direct conflict between the alliance and Russia would be inevitable. Russian President Vladimir Putin said such a move would risk a global nuclear conflict.

Here's a look into Macron’s comments, his strategy and what’s at stake.

MACRON'S REMARKS, ALLIES' REACTION

Macron floated the possibility of Western troops helping in Ukraine while speaking at a news conference after 20 European heads of state, and other Western officials, met in Paris.

There was no consensus to send troops in an official, endorsed manner on the ground, Macron said, “but in terms of dynamics, nothing can be ruled out.”

The exact signal Macron was trying to send remains unclear, but “it wasn't said by accident,” said Phillips O’Brien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland.

“It could be a bit of a warning” to Russia or “it could be that this might happen, so people need to prepare for it,” O’Brien said.

Macron was clearer when speaking about European leaders' evolving attitudes since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. “I remind you that two years ago, many people around this table were saying: we’re going to offer sleeping bags and helmets. Today they’re saying: we need to work faster and harder to get missiles and tanks."

Soon after,