Macron unveils plan to send Mirage fighter planes to Ukraine
Macron made an announcement about the training of extra 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers in France. He also mentioned his intention to send French military trainers to Ukraine. "There should be no limits," he stressed.
Macron explained that the Ukrainian president and Ukrainian defense minister sent an official letter requesting assistance within their country two days before. "This means there's a request, and whenever there's a request, we contemplate how we can contribute," he said.
He clarified that this isn't an increase in aggression. "It's not about training soldiers in a war zone," Macron stated. Responding to a query on the potentialities if a French military trainer were to perish in Ukraine, he asked: "Is it any less crucial if a French, German, or British civilian dies in Ukraine than a soldier?".
Macron affirmed that a French employee of a Swiss aid organization had been detained in Russia. Russian authorities previously declared that a Frenchman had been arrested on suspicion of espionage. Macron countered the allegation that the detainee was performing for France in Russia and announced consular support.
Macron will welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysee Palace on Friday. Zelensky is also scheduled to meet with French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu. Many accords are expected to be sealed during this meeting.
France has plans to promise €650 million in loans and donations to aid Ukraine's infrastructure regeneration. The Franco-German arms company KNDS also plans to establish a branch in Ukraine.
