France to provide Ukraine with SAMs, old armored vehicles, equipment
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France's armed forces minister says that hundreds of military vehicles will be delivered to Ukraine between 2024 and 2025.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron clasp hands after a press conference in Kiev, Ukraine, on June 16, 2022 (AFP)
France will provide Ukraine with a new batch of surface-to-air missiles, in addition to old armored vehicles, the country's Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu told the French newspaper La Tribune Dimanche.
According to the Minister, he was tasked to form the package by President Emmanuel Macron.
The new assistance “notably includes old equipment from our armies, which is still functional,” he said. “To hold such a long frontline, the Ukrainian army needs, for example, our armored vehicles — this is absolutely key for troop mobility and is part of Ukraine’s requests.”
Read more: Zelensky warns US Ukraine will retreat 'step by step' if aid stops
Regarding the number of vehicles planned to be supplied to Kiev, Lecornu confirmed that it will be "in the hundreds for 2024 and early 2025.”
"[A] new batch of Aster 30 missiles” will also be provided, he continued. “We are also developing remotely operated munitions in a very short timeframe, for delivery to the Ukrainians as early as this summer."
The announcement comes as Paris is being accused, especially by Germany, of not contributing enough in terms of military aid to Ukraine.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has frequently advocated for an assessment of individual countries' contributions while discussing the adjustment of an EU fund designed to reimburse nations for their military contributions to Kiev.
A difficult spring
An opinion piece by The Economist last Thursday detailed that the coming Spring season promises to be difficult for Ukraine as Russia is likely to mount a new offensive, as it did in 2023.
Despite the temporary respite provided by warmer weather, Ukraine's ability to repel a potential Russian offensive seems much less certain now than it did a year ago.
"That is why it urgently needs to mobilise more troops and build more robust front-line defences," the author said.
Read more: How fragile are Ukraine's defense lines?
According to the op-ed, Ukrainians blame global politicians for their hardships as Western allies, preoccupied with various issues like the Middle East and upcoming elections, are failing to provide adequate support.
It further notes that the political deadlock in the US increases the risk of Russia penetrating Ukraine's weak defenses, while European efforts, despite rhetoric from leaders like Macron, lack substantial support, with Germany's reluctance to provide crucial weaponry like Taurus missiles.
