On Wednesday, Emmanuel Macron announced an additional €2 billion in military aid from France to Ukraine, accusing Russia of demonstrating a "willingness for war."
On the eve of a summit he is organizing in Paris with nearly thirty countries ready to contribute, in various ways, to the "security guarantees" that Europeans wish to offer Kyiv in the event of a peace agreement with Moscow, the French president welcomed his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, to the Élysée Palace.
Macron stated that "the first security guarantee" is the strengthening of the Ukrainian army. He outlined the new French military aid package, which includes "Milan anti-tank missiles," "air defense systems such as Mica missiles" equipped on French Mirage fighter jets supplied to Ukraine, "Mistral surface-to-air defense missiles," "VAB armored vehicles," "AMX-10 RC tanks," "numerous munitions, some of which are remotely operated," and "drones."
This aid also includes "production of equipment in Ukraine" through partnerships with French defense companies, Macron explained.
Volodymyr Zelensky thanked him for the French support, noting that they also discussed "increasing the number of Mirages" provided by France.
Regarding the "reassurance force" that European countries might deploy in Ukraine if a ceasefire is reached, the French president advocated for a "peaceful approach" to ensure lasting peace. These contingents would not "go to the front lines" to "engage in combat," he insisted.
They would be entirely separate from a potential "mechanism to ensure that the ceasefire is not violated," which could be under a "United Nations mandate deploying peacekeeping troops," the French president clarified. "This is not what we are referring to when discussing security guarantees."
Emmanuel Macron also urged Russia to accept, like Ukraine, a 30-day ceasefire without "preconditions."
He accused Moscow of demonstrating a "willingness for war and continuing aggression" by persisting in strikes against Ukraine, which, he stressed, "must absolutely cease."
He also criticized Russia for adding "new conditions" to the agreement brokered by the United States for a Black Sea truce and a moratorium on strikes targeting energy sites.
"Russia is playing for time, and the pressure on Russia must be maintained," echoed the Ukrainian president.
Both leaders agreed that it is "too early" to consider lifting sanctions imposed on Moscow. This will depend on "Russia's choice to comply with international law," Macron stated.
AFP
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