Zelensky confirms Ukraine received long-range French missiles
2 Min Read
Kiev has received French missiles with a range of more than 250 kilometers.
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In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the nation in Kiev, Ukraine, late Monday, March 7, 2022. (AP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a video on social media on Sunday demonstrating a long-range Scalp missile that his French counterpart promised Kiev last month.
In mid-July, President Emmanuel Macron announced that his government had decided to join the United Kingdom in providing Scalp missiles to Ukraine.
The Former president of the French right-wing National Rally party and the current chairwoman of its parliamentary faction, Marine Le Pen, told Le Figaro that it was "irresponsible" of Macron to pledge long-range missiles to Ukraine.
"I do not understand why Emmanuel Macron is not integrally focused on organizing a conference for peace to put an end to this war," Le Pen was quoted as saying by the daily.
They, like Storm Shadows, have a range of more than 250 kilometers (155 miles). So far, Germany has refused to follow suit.
Support for Ukraine since the beginning of the war has progressed from light artillery to heavier weapons, including tanks. Ukraine has been pleading with the West for fighter jets in recent months.
The Kremlin has repeatedly warned against sending more arms to Kiev.
Taurus missiles 'not a priority'
A few days ago, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that providing Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles was "not a top priority" at the moment.
Ukraine had asked Germany to give it Taurus air-to-surface cruise missiles with a range of more than 500 kilometers (310 miles) in late May, but the government has so far denied the request.
During a visit to a mountain infantry brigade in Bavaria, he said we "continue to believe that this is not our top priority right now."
The worries about providing "special range" missiles to Ukraine "are obvious," he said, adding that their American allies "are not delivering these cruise missiles either."
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