Macron announces the delivery of Mirage fighter jets to Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron says that an unknown number of Mirage 2000 fighter planes “will enable Ukraine to protect its terrain and airspace.”

France wants to give Ukraine an undisclosed number of Mirage-2000 fighter jets. “They allow Ukraine to protect its territory and airspace,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with French television channels in Caen on Thursday. He also promised to train 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers.

Sending French military trainers to Ukraine

Macron renewed his willingness to send French military trainers to Ukraine. “There should be no taboos,” he stressed. Macron said that the Ukrainian Defense Minister asked the allies to train inside Ukraine two days ago. “This means that there is a demand, and whenever there is a demand, we think about how to help,” Macron said.

He added that this does not represent an escalation. “It is not about training soldiers in a combat zone,” Macron said. When asked what might happen if a French military trainer was killed in Ukraine, Macron asked: “Is the killing of a French, German or British civilian in Ukraine less bad than the killing of a soldier?”

Macron confirmed the arrest of a French employee of a Swiss relief organization in Russia. Russian authorities had previously reported that a Frenchman had been arrested on suspicion of espionage. Macron rejected allegations that the detainee was in Russia on behalf of France and announced consular support.

Macron wants to receive Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysee on Friday. Zelensky will also meet with French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu. Several contracts must be signed.

France wants to pledge 650 million euros in loans and donations to support the rebuilding of Ukraine's infrastructure. The German-French arms company KNDS also wants to establish a branch in Ukraine. (Abba)