Amid rising Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, France has announced it will provide new missile-defense systems to strengthen the country’s air defenses. French President Emmanuel Macron disclosed the assistance after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Macron said it is urgent to rapidly strengthen Ukraine’s air-defense system. To that end, he said, France will quickly supply new interceptor missiles and other military equipment to the country. Paris will also cooperate on providing missile-production technology and licenses, he said.
Ukraine has long sought more air-defense systems and missiles to counter Russian ballistic missiles. Kyiv, in particular, has voiced concern over a shortage of U.S.-made Patriot missiles. Russia has recently stepped up missile and drone attacks on various Ukrainian cities and important installations.
In a recent attack, a Russian drone strike on a shopping center in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih killed and injured many people. Macron spoke with Zelensky shortly after that attack, condemning the strike and pledging to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has also been carrying out drone strikes on various Russian economic and military installations. The tit-for-tat attacks between the two countries have further heated up the state of the war. At the same time, peace talks between the United States, Ukraine and Russia remain effectively stalled.
A meeting of European allies, led by France and the United Kingdom, is also expected to be held on strategies for providing further support to Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia.
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