Macron agrees to accelerate air defence deliveries to Ukraine, Zelenskiy says
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French President Emmanuel Macron has promised to accelerate delivery of new French equipment to Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday. The two leaders discussed Kyiv's shortage of air defences in a call lasting almost two hours. Macron also expressed willingness to intercede with allies holding U.S.-made Patriot interceptors.
Key Facts
- Zelenskiy said he spoke for almost two hours with Macron on Saturday.
- Macron expressed willingness to intercede with allies who have stocks of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors.
- Ukraine is awaiting delivery of the Italo-French SAMP/T-NG missile defence system, not expected before spring next year.
- A Russian drone strike on a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih on Friday killed at least 16 people and wounded 130.
- In July, Macron hosted a meeting in Paris that launched a grouping of 10 European countries to develop an anti-ballistic missile system.
Air Defence Shortage
The Patriot air defence system is the only weapon in Ukraine's arsenal capable of downing high-speed ballistic missiles used by Russia. As Russia has escalated airstrikes, Zelenskiy has repeatedly appealed to allies to provide more interceptor missiles for the system, of which Ukraine has a shortage. Ukraine has responded by striking economic targets inside Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that the campaign had opened a "Pandora's box" and that Moscow would hit back at Kyiv's "most sensitive economic sectors".
French Equipment Deliveries
Zelenskiy said on Telegram that the two leaders agreed to accelerate delivery of the latest French equipment and missiles, without providing further details. He thanked Macron for confirming readiness to provide licenses for missile production. The Aster missile used in the SAMP/T system is produced by Eurosam, a joint venture between MBDA and France's Thales. Macron said he had agreed to strengthen French support for Ukraine, including through delivery of interceptor missiles, in line with commitments made at the launch of an Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition.
Macron's Response to Kryvyi Rih
In a statement on X, Macron conveyed to Zelenskiy his "horror and deep emotion" over the Russian drone strike on a crowded shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih. Macron said that by systematically targeting civilians and choosing intimidation and escalation, Russia is likely seeking to project strength but is above all revealing its weakness.
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Macron agrees to accelerate air defence deliveries to Ukraine, Zelenskiy says
