Britain and France have not ruled out sending troops to Ukraine as part of a European-led coalition, according to French media reports. Amid escalating concerns that the ongoing war is inching toward direct conflict between Russia and NATO. Britain and France in direct conflict with Russia in Ukraine amid US Political fallout involve discussions around deploying troops from Western armies and private defense contractors have reportedly been “reactivated,” with talks resurfacing just months after French President Emmanuel Macron faced significant opposition from Western leaders over similar proposals.
The renewed discussions come at a particularly tense moment, with fears mounting that U.S. support for Kyiv could be jeopardized by President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration. Sources indicate that, in light of Trump’s election victory, European powers are considering taking a more active role in supporting Ukraine, potentially even leading a coalition in place of American leadership, should Washington’s stance change. This development raises profound geopolitical implications, not just for Ukraine, but for the broader NATO alliance.
The notion of France and the UK heading up a new coalition of European allies has gained momentum, particularly after key meetings and diplomatic visits, such as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s recent trip to France for Remembrance Day on November 11. The proposal is reportedly becoming more viable due to growing concerns over U.S. commitment under Trump. A British military source told Le Monde that “discussions are underway between the UK and France regarding defense cooperation,” emphasizing Ukraine and broader European security concerns as central themes.
The Specter of Martial Law in the US
However, the geopolitical ramifications could extend far beyond Ukraine and Europe. The possibility of direct conflict between NATO and Russia also introduces the very real threat of martial law being declared in the United States—an unprecedented measure that could prevent President Trump from assuming office as scheduled on January 20. If the U.S. were to enter into direct military conflict with Russia, it is conceivable that the U.S. government could invoke emergency powers, potentially leading to the suspension of normal democratic processes. Martial law, under such circumstances, could block the peaceful transfer of power, effectively sidelining Trump and preventing him from taking office.
This scenario, while speculative, could have explosive consequences for American democracy. The invocation of martial law would effectively suspend constitutional rights, including the transition of executive power, in the name of national security. This would not only stymie the will of the American electorate but also mark a momentous deviation from the democratic principles that underpin the United States’ political system.
Some critics might even argue that such a situation could be viewed as a de facto coup—an action designed to prevent the duly elected president from assuming office, undermining the legitimacy of the political process. If martial law were implemented, the military or other government bodies could assume control over significant areas of governance, leaving the political establishment to grapple with the fallout.
Growing Tensions and France’s Role in the Escalation
Meanwhile, France’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, made it clear that his country would continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary. Speaking to the BBC, Barrot stated that “we are not ruling out any option” regarding further military support, underscoring the importance of defending Ukrainian sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression. He emphasized that “each time the Russian army progresses by one square kilometer, the threat gets one square kilometer closer to Europe,” highlighting the growing urgency of the conflict.
Barrot also suggested that French long-range Scalp missiles—capable of striking deep into Russian territory—could be deployed in the context of self-defense. This implies that France, along with its European partners, could take increasingly aggressive steps to counter Russian advances. With the political landscape in the U.S. uncertain and NATO’s commitment in question, the prospect of an independent European-led defense coalition is becoming more realistic. However, this would also increase the risk of direct confrontation with Russia, which could escalate the war into an all-out conflict between NATO and Moscow.
The possibility of Western European nations taking the lead in defending Ukraine, while the U.S. grapples with its internal political upheavals, signals a new and more precarious phase in the war. As European leaders like Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak consider greater involvement in the conflict, the world watches closely to see how these developments might reshape the global balance of power. At the same time, the looming question of how U.S. domestic politics might intersect with international security concerns remains a critical point of uncertainty in this volatile geopolitical moment.
