France agrees to accelerate air defence deliveries to Ukraine, Zelenskiy says
KYIV: French President Emmanuel Macron has promised to accelerate the delivery of new French equipment to Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday, following a call in which they discussed Kyiv’s shortage of air defences. Zelenskiy said he had spoken for almost two hours with Macron, who expressed his willingness to intercede on Ukraine’s behalf with allies who had stocks…
French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to expedite the delivery of advanced French weaponry to Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Saturday. The discussion came after a nearly two-hour conversation between the two leaders, during which Zelenskiy expressed the Ukraine's pressing need for enhanced air defenses.
Zelenskiy revealed that Macron committed to interceding on Ukraine's behalf with other nations that possess stockpiles of U.S.-manufactured Patriot interceptors. These interceptor missiles are the sole defense capable of neutralizing high-speed ballistic missiles used by Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. As Russia has significantly intensified its airstrikes, Zelenskiy has persistently urged allies to provide additional interceptor missiles for Ukraine's air defense system.
Due to the system's shortage, Ukraine has retaliated by launching strikes against economic targets within Russia, an endeavor that Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed would open "Pandora's box," with Moscow threatening a retaliatory attack targeting Kyiv's most vital economic sectors. Ukraine anticipates the arrival of the new Italo-French missile defense system, which experts believe could effectively counter ballistic missiles; however, the system has not yet undergone any combat trials.
European officials had previously warned that the delivery of the system to Ukraine was unlikely before spring of the following year. In a statement on X, Macron expressed his "horror and deep emotion" over a recent Russian drone attack on a crowded shopping center in Kryvyi Rih, which claimed at least 16 lives and left 130 injured.
The French leader emphasized that Russia's targeting of civilians, through intimidation and escalation, reveals the country's own vulnerabilities. During their conversation, Macron also pledged to bolster French assistance for Ukraine, including the delivery of interceptor missiles, in line with commitments made during the establishment of the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition in July.
The coalition comprises 10 European nations aiming to develop a more cost-effective anti-ballistic missile system as a substitute for the Patriot system. At the time, Macron affirmed that France would accelerate the deployment of the new system to Ukraine, grant Kyiv the license to manufacture interceptor missiles, and provide long-range cruise missiles and other munitions.
Additionally, Zelenskiy and Macron discussed the progress of peace talks and communication with Washington during their meeting. They agreed that these discussions could create new diplomatic opportunities. Macron, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are scheduled to co-chair a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Monday.
Zelenskiy is expected to attend the meeting in person, alongside other representatives from the coalition.
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