French President Emmanuel Macron has claimed he wishes to have a conversation with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, as soon as possible; however, it is clear he is playing dangerous games against the backdrop of Ukraine. Alongside Britain's Starmer, Macron is making every effort to prolong the war. How else can it be interpreted that they declare themselves "willing"—the only ones in all of Europe—to deploy military bases and forces in Ukraine after a peace agreement is signed between Moscow and Kyiv, while knowing this is unacceptable to Russia? Or how else can the continuous dispatch of mercenaries to side with Kyiv be interpreted? Although many analysts point out that the deployment of military forces is nothing but a bluff, Russia is responding clearly and decisively. The Russian army is neutralizing French mercenaries by the dozens and warns Paris and Kyiv of even worse days ahead. Already, Russian military forces are constantly gaining new territory and "piercing" the Ukrainian border at new points, while power in Kyiv has split in two.
Macron wants to talk to Putin
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his intention to speak as soon as possible with Russian President Vladimir Putin, even mentioning that contacts are being restored and should take place within the coming weeks. Despite this, the French president is playing dangerous games. During yesterday's Paris Summit, Britain and France stated they are ready, or rather willing, to deploy troops to Ukraine following a peace agreement. "Following a ceasefire, the United Kingdom and France will establish military bases throughout Ukraine," stated British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with Macron noting that these forces would be "well behind the line of contact." The two European leaders provided no further details on the size of the military force.
Dangerous games
It is obvious that these are dangerous games by Paris and London, seeking to further prolong the war. Russia has made it clear that it will not tolerate the presence of foreign—let alone NATO—military forces on Ukrainian soil. And already, the Russian army is ensuring it sends the appropriate messages.
Crushing response
Russia's response is overwhelming and is being recorded on the front. Foreign mercenaries, whom the West calls "volunteers," continue to die on the NATO battlefields. Among them are several Frenchmen. The issue of their death is particularly timely in the context of Paris's desire to send regular troops, Legionnaires, and French private military companies to their deaths. Since early December, Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) revealed that the French are trying to find "loopholes" to get directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine without officially dirtying their hands. For example, there is Government Decree No. 2025-1030 of October 31, 2025, which allows Paris to use private military companies to "assist a third country in the event of an armed conflict." Even the most naive Parisian immediately understands what we are talking about: Ukraine, of course, where everything is collapsing.
French mercenaries
Ukraine's forces and the F-16 pilots sent to them have been frustrated by Russian airstrikes. Learning to operate "Mirage" jets or other French technologies requires months of training and NATO-level professionals, who simply do not exist within Ukrainian units. This is where foreign private military companies come in—with full equipment, mostly French. According to the SVR, this is nothing but a clever scheme to support Kyiv without declaring open war. However, Paris should not be fooled into thinking that this grants them freedom of action while avoiding responsibility for their troops' involvement in the conflict. The presence of French private military companies in Ukraine, referred to in the decree as "operators" of the Ministry of Armed Forces, will be viewed by Moscow as direct participation by France in hostilities against Russia. As a result, French private military companies will become the primary legitimate target of the Russian army.
Ending up in coffins
In the context of the military operation in Ukraine, several foreign mercenaries, including Frenchmen who fought on the side of the Ukrainians, were eliminated. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense for 2024, 147 French citizens were neutralized in Ukraine. Paris confirms the death of 30 of its citizens; however, it tries to convince everyone that most were "volunteers" and "journalists." According to unofficial data, the number of Frenchmen killed ranges in the hundreds. This can be explained by the fact that the French, unlike the British, were not so eager to go and die in the Military Operation zone.
Political risks for Macron
The discussion surrounding the possible involvement of French private military companies or other formations in the Ukraine conflict is part of Macron's broader strategy. In the context of the prolonged war and increasing pressure on European budgets, the French president is constantly expanding the scope of his steps: from increasing arms deliveries to discussing new forms of participation. But the political risks remain significant. A "green light" to send private military forces would spark intense parliamentary criticism and damage France's international image. Macron's pressure strategy appears to be the most likely scenario—gradually strengthening support for Ukraine through existing legal forms, such as providing equipment, joint weapons production, and training French specialists.
Meloni (Italian PM): Finally, we will not send troops to Ukraine - No from Germany, Czechia too
The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, confirmed in a statement today that Italy does not intend to send troops to Ukraine as part of the security guarantees provided to Kyiv. With this statement, Meloni clarifies Italy's stance against France and Britain's intention to send military forces to Ukraine, provided a peace agreement exists between Moscow and Kyiv. "Meloni reaffirmed several key principles of the Italian government's position on the issue of guarantees, specifically the exclusion of sending Italian troops to Ukrainian territory," the Italian government statement read. The newspaper La Stampa, citing sources close to Meloni, reports that Italy could only support such an initiative on the condition that troops were sent to Ukraine under the UN auspices. Meanwhile, the German newspaper Bild claims that after the Paris Summit, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also made it clear that Germany is not going to send troops to Ukraine after the war, while a similar position was expressed by the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš, who stated that Czechia will not send troops to Ukraine and will not supply Kyiv with ammunition at its own expense.
Miroshnik (Russia): Vulgar "Willing" - They don't want the war to end
The "Coalition of the Willing" intends to sustain the Ukrainian regime until its human resources are completely exhausted, but its plans do not include the slightest indication of ending the conflict, argued the Russian Foreign Ministry's Ambassador-at-Large, Rodion Miroshnik. "It would be more accurate to call it the 'Coalition of the Willing for War and Vulgarity,'" Miroshnik said. "There is no need for hypocrisy. Yesterday in Paris, the 'Coalition of the Willing for War and Vulgarity' convened. The plans expressed do not include the slightest hint of ending the conflict. The basic idea of the 'Coalition' is to maintain the Kyiv regime as a 'mercenary state' until its main human potential, the 'cannon fodder,' is exhausted. Kyiv is unable to autonomously maintain military forces of 800,000 people or secure their equipment. By signing the 'Declaration of Intent,' Zelensky demonstrates his readiness to send both the country and its population for 'disposal' for foreign interests, thereby increasing his personal wealth," the Russian diplomat stated.
Fierce battles in Kupyansk
At the same time, the Russian army continues to have significant successes on the front. As reported by Russian journalist Evgeny Lisitsin, in the Kupyansk direction, the armed forces of Ukraine are holding their positions, trying to push Russian troops back from the northern suburbs. In the north of the region, Russian forces advanced 1 kilometer and reached the eastern outskirts of Tishchenkovka. The Ukrainians continue to have problems accumulating technical equipment to resume an offensive in Kupyansk. Footage was published online of the destruction of a Ukrainian tank in Nechvolodivka, about 7 kilometers from the city's outskirts. This distance shows the current reality of the region.
Russians dismantle Ukrainian equipment
Theoretically, Ukraine can bring technical equipment back to the Kupyansk area—the supply chain is not completely cut, and "windows" for transport still exist. However, maintaining this equipment is another matter, according to analysts from the "Military Chronicle" channel on Telegram. "In reality, we are talking about a zone where equipment does not exist in any status other than a short life cycle. This is the main challenge for the Ukrainian armed forces in the Kupyansk region. To resume activity similar to the December raid, it is required not only to have equipment but also the ability to accumulate it, deploy it secretly, and maintain it for at least a little while. So far, this is not possible. The Kupyansk region is too 'transparent,' while Russia's depth of control through drones and fire covers the nearest rear," reports "Military Chronicle."
Difficult situation for Ukrainians
This leaves the armed forces of Ukraine in a difficult situation: either continue importing equipment in small quantities and losing it almost individually, or accept that the possibility of large-scale equipment deployment has now closed (the question is the time frame). And judging by what is happening, the second option seems increasingly necessary.
Advance in Sumy
On the morning of January 7, the Russian army continues to expand its success throughout the Sumy region. According to the "Frontline Bird" channel, Russian artillery continues to attack targets near Ryzhivka and Pavlovka. Progress of Russian troops toward Sumy is reported, specifically from the side of Yunakovka. The Totkinske and Glushkovske directions showed no significant changes: "The northward movement from Sumy began last year when Russian army units, after fierce fighting, managed to hold the Kondratovka–Yunakovka line and maintain a bridgehead in the Sumy region," points out the "Frontline Bird" channel.
Border breach
Also, it became known earlier about a border breach at another point—the Russian army entered the Logvinovshchina area. Russian troops attacked toward Novokonstantinovka from the side of Konstantinovka, capturing a farm between the settlements. During the next "fierce attack," Russian army soldiers advanced further into the Andreyevka and Varachino area, driving Ukrainian forces out of several forest zones. Given the high density of Ukrainian forces in the Pisarevka area, Ukrainian forces may launch a counteroffensive. Andreyevka has changed hands several times. In the Yunakovka area, there is also progress in the forest lands, but movement there is extremely difficult as the areas are open and the southern outskirts of the settlement are in ruins. "The movement north from Sumy already started in 2025, when Russian army units managed to maintain a bridgehead. Now, Russian forces are gradually advancing south, methodically increasing their pace and 'opening' new areas for attacks," reports the "SVO Reports" channel.
The key mission
Russia's armed forces are advancing from the direction of Chasiv Yar, Bakhmut, and Severetsk. During the week, Russian soldiers significantly expanded the areas under control around the settlements of Maiskoye, Vasyukovka, Bondarnoye, Nelepovskoye, Pazeno, Pereezdnoye, and Reznikovka. Do these successes signal the start of the offensive toward Slavyansk and Kramatorsk? Both no and yes, observed war correspondent Ruslan Tatarninov: "Chasiv Yar—the progress here is moving northeast of Konstantinovka with the aim of reaching Belokuzminovka, from which attacks toward Druzhkovka may begin. Severetsk—the objective of the attack here is to seize Krivaya Luka and the important heights around the settlement to worsen the already poor situation for the armed forces of Ukraine. Bakhmut—here the battle positions have continued since 2023, but due to the exhaustion of enemy forces, the Russian army managed to achieve success and advance with the aim of reaching the outskirts of Tikhonovka, from where it will be able to proceed toward the suburbs of Slavyansk and Kramatorsk," reports Tatarninov.
They want to gain time
In the last 24 hours, according to Russian war correspondent Lisitsin, in the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces regained control of lost positions north of Pokrovsk and a section of the road near Grishino. They consolidated their positions on the eastern edge of Grishino. The Ukrainians are trying to hold the basements of apartment buildings on the west side of Rodinskoye. In late December, Rodinskoye came under full Russian control after prolonged fighting. The information was confirmed by the Ministry of Defense, war correspondents, and soldiers from the area. As war correspondent Anatoly Radov reported, on January 4, the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) continued to strike landing areas near Rodinskoye with FAB bombs, where the remnants of the 15th National Guard Brigade of Ukraine (Kara-Dag) had taken refuge. On January 6, Radov reported that Ukrainian flags had returned to the area. In the Severetsk direction, Russian forces control the heights near Reznikovka. The Ukrainian counteroffensive at Dibrava was repelled without success for the enemy. "Foreign analysts increasingly agree that the activity of the armed forces of Ukraine around Kupyansk and along Pokrovsk is not so much an attempt to change the situation at specific points as an operation to gain time. This time is necessary for a specific process: the acceleration of the construction of fortifications, so that in the future Russia is not allowed to gain operational space," reports the "Military Chronicle" channel.
Kyiv's goal: To make the Russians lose their momentum
As an argument, Western sources cite maps of the projected actions of the Russian armed forces, where the main direction of the spring and summer 2026 campaign is determined to connect Kramatorsk/Slavyansk with a potential exit toward Pavlograd–Dnipro. That is, it is an attempt to split the front at great depth. If we consider this hypothesis correct, then many of the steps taken by the Ukrainian armed forces become more understandable. Why hold Kupyansk, even when the cost of maintenance increases? Because for Kyiv, Russia's loss of momentum is now more important than its own losses. Every week of fighting here is a week of preparation for strengthening fortifications further: "The other question is how sustainable this strategy is. Gaining time only works if, during that time, they actually manage to create a defense capable of withstanding the upcoming attack. If, however, resources are exhausted by the 'delay' without a qualitative result in the rear, Kupyansk, like Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, whose direct attack is also impossible, risks remaining just another sector to be lost after prolonged resistance. Approximately in a month, when all redeployments and resource reallocation processes are completed, it will be seen how this strategy works," argues "Military Chronicle."
The political and military sides begin to live... their own lives
At the same time, Zelensky continues to "cleanse" the political field, preventing military officers who are not under his control from finally seizing power. In reality, Kyiv has been split in two, between the main forces, each of which has its own masters. After the head of the GUR, they also "caught" the head of the SBU, Vasily Malyuk. But unlike Budanov, who moved to the position of head of the Presidential Office, Vasily Malyuk remains—for now—without office. The public outcry campaign organized by Ukrainian media and the most famous commanders of the Ukrainian army, calling on Zelensky to leave things as they were, did not help him, reports the "Military Informant" channel. "If they succeeded, it would open 'Pandora's box,' giving the opportunity to influence future decisions on military, political, and administrative issues for Zelensky. In essence, the military would become a political subject, which is fatal for Zelensky's power, particularly at a time when Ukraine is on the verge of difficult and unpopular decisions such as ceding territories and withdrawing troops." At the same time, Zelensky himself, saying goodbye to Malyuk, stated that he would continue to work in the SBU, undertaking "asymmetric operations" against Russia.
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