France has agreed to speed up the delivery of military equipment to Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, after the two leaders spoke by phone following Russia's strike on Kryvyi Rih on Friday.
Zelenskyy said he spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron for nearly two hours, during which Macron offered to act as an intermediary with allies holding stocks of Patriot interceptor missiles on Ukraine's behalf. Patriot systems remain the only weapon capable of shooting down the ballistic missiles Russia uses in its war against Ukraine.
Air defence shortages
As Moscow intensifies its strikes, Zelenskyy has repeatedly called on allies to send Kyiv more missiles for its air defence systems, citing shortages. In response to the Russian strikes, Ukraine's military has been targeting economic sites inside Russia, prompting President Vladimir Putin to warn that Kyiv had opened "Pandora's box" and that Moscow would retaliate against Ukraine's most sensitive economic sectors.
Ukraine is also awaiting delivery of the new Franco-Italian SAMP/T-NG missile defence system, which many experts say should be capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, though it has yet to be tested in combat. European diplomats have said it is not expected to reach Ukraine before next spring.
"We agreed to speed up the delivery of French equipment and missiles," Zelenskyy said on Telegram, without giving further details, adding that he thanked Macron for confirming France's readiness to grant licences for missile production.
Macron on the Kryvyi Rih strike
Macron told Zelenskyy he felt horror and deep sorrow over Russia's strike on a commercial centre in Zelenskyy's hometown of Kryvyi Rih, which killed at least 16 people and injured more than 130. The French president said Russia was systematically targeting civilians and choosing intimidation and escalation in an attempt to project strength, but was in fact revealing its own weakness.
Peace talks and the Coalition of the Willing
Zelenskyy said he and Macron also discussed the state of peace talks and contacts with the United States, saying they had agreed on steps that could open up further diplomatic opportunities.
Macron, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are due to co-chair a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Monday. Zelenskyy will also take part in the meeting, which will be held in person with video link participation.
Source: AMNA
