France to deliver interceptor missiles to Ukraine after new Russian strikes

The National Times - France to deliver interceptor missiles to Ukraine after new Russian strikes

France to deliver interceptor missiles to Ukraine after new Russian strikes / Photo: © POOL/AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday announced Paris would deliver new interceptor missiles to Ukraine, with Kyiv's air defences running short after the latest round of deadly Russian attacks.

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"It is crucial to provide Ukraine with all the necessary means to defend its skies and thwart this aggression," Macron wrote on X.

He said he had informed his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in a telephone call of "the strengthening of our support with the delivery of interceptors and the continuation of our cooperation".

Their talks came ahead of a meeting on Monday of Ukraine's allies in the Coalition of the Willing -- an initiative led by France and Britain -- to look at how to ramp up pressure on Moscow to halt its invasion.

Zelensky wrote on X that he had discussed all the main issues with Macron "and this concerns, first and foremost, the need for air defence".

"We agreed to accelerate the delivery of the latest French equipment and missiles," Zelensky said.

Addressing Macron, he added: "Thank you for confirming your readiness to provide licenses for the production of missiles."

The meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Monday -- Ukraine's independence day -- will be co-chaired by Macron, who will join via video link, along with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, the French presidency said.

Around 10 leaders, including European Council chief Antonio Costa, will be in Kyiv for the coalition meeting, according to an EU official.

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