French President Emmanuel Macron says the undisclosed Mirage-2000 fighter jets will “help Ukraine defend its territory and airspace”.
France wants to supply undisclosed Mirage-2000 fighter jets to Ukraine “They allow Ukraine to defend its territory and its airspace,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with French TV channels in Cannes on Thursday. He also promised to train 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers.
French military instructors were sent to Ukraine
Macron reiterated his desire to send French military trainers to Ukraine. “There should be no barriers,” he insisted. The Ukrainian defense minister asked allies two days ago for training inside Ukraine, Macron said. “That means there is a demand, and whenever there is a demand, we think about how we can help,” Macron said.
It does not represent an increase, he said. “This is not about training soldiers in a war zone,” Macron said. Asked what would happen if a French military instructor was killed in Ukraine, Macron asked: “Is it less bad if a French, German or British citizen is killed in Ukraine than a soldier?”
A Mirage 2000 military jet, here from the military in Taiwan. Reuters / Ann Wang
Macron confirmed the arrest of a French employee of a Swiss aid agency in Russia. Russian officials had previously said a Frenchman had been arrested on suspicion of espionage. Macron denied allegations that the prisoner was in Russia on behalf of France and announced diplomatic support.
Macron intends to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysée on Friday. Zelenskiy also meets French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu. Many contracts have to be signed.
France wants to provide 650 million euros in loans and donations to rebuild Ukraine’s infrastructure. German-French arms company KNDS wants to set up a branch in Ukraine. (APA)