Macron faces EU backlash after suggesting sending troops to Ukraine

EU and Nato leaders quick to distance themselves from French president's comments that ground troops should not be ruled out

Emmanuel Macron has faced criticism from France's Nato and EU partners and a warning of conflict from Russia after he suggested it might be necessary to send ground troops to Ukraine.

After a high-level meeting in Paris of mainly European partners to discuss what urgent steps could be taken to shore up Ukraine in the wake of Russia's recent frontline advances, the French president told a press conference he did not rule out sending troops.