French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the delivery of the first series of Mirage 2000 aircraft to Ukraine, the start of training for pilots and mechanics of these aircraft, as well as a full training course for the personnel of one military brigade.
“We are announcing the delivery of the first series of Mirage 2000 aircraft and the start of training for attack pilots and mechanics to maintain these aircraft. We have decided that France will fully equip and train the personnel of a full brigade as part of the efforts to regenerate the Ukrainian forces,” Macron said during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris on Friday evening.
In addition, he noted that “all the equipment that was transferred (to Ukraine – IF-U), in particular, Scalp missiles, A2SM surface-to-air bombs, is what helped to change the situation in Ukraine on the battlefield.”
Macron also announced a project to organize the production of ammunition in Ukraine with the participation of a French company.
Later, at a press conference, answering media questions about the number of Mirage 2000 aircraft that France would be providing to Ukraine, Macron said: “I will not give you a number, nor partners, nor a figure, just to be effective.”
This afternoon, April 8, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, the British government’s website reports.
“On Ukraine, the Prime Minister and the President agreed on the importance of intensifying efforts to prevent Russia from winning its aggressive war against Ukraine. They discussed priorities for the coming months, including increasing the supply of ammunition, drones and air defense systems for the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the statement said.
It is noted that the leaders are looking forward to the upcoming meeting of the European Political Community to be held in the UK and pledged to work together to hold a successful summit that will address a number of common European priorities, including the defense of Ukraine, the development of cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence and joint efforts to combat illegal migration and organized crime.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported about the hour-long conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.
“In an hour-long conversation with Emmanuel Macron we substantially and effectively discussed the defense cooperation between Ukraine and France. Informed in detail about the situation on the front. We dwelled on the further steps for the implementation of the Peace Formula. Coordinated actions in the context of the nearest international events”, – reported in Telegram channel Zelensky on Saturday.
French President Emmanuel Macron, during a telephone conversation on Saturday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, promised to intensify the provision of military and humanitarian assistance to Kyiv, BFMTV channel said, citing sources.
According to the channel, Macron “promised to increase support for Ukraine by transferring weapons and humanitarian aid.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said that at this stage he does not plan to visit Kyiv, as he does not believe that such a visit will bring concrete results.
“I think that in my case a trip to Kyiv would make sense only if it can bring real benefits to Ukrainians,” he explained his position to French journalists.
According to Macron, he is not going to visit the Ukrainian capital for the time being, because he does not want to “follow fashion’s lead.”
At the same time, the French president assured that he welcomes the recent visits to Kyiv by other European leaders, as “this shows European solidarity.”
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron and discussed the prospects for peace talks and confronting the Russian aggressor.
“Spoke with Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron. We discussed countering the aggressor, Russia’s crimes against civilians. I ask my partners to help in releasing the captive mayor of Melitopol. Prospects for peace talks also discussed. We must stop the aggressor together,” Zelensky said.
