Zelensky welcomes French promises of Mirage 2000 warplanes
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President Emmanuel Macron announced that France intends to supply Mirage 2000-5 jets to Ukraine and begin training pilots this summer.
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A Mirage 2000-5F jet fighter takes off from Luxeuil-Saint Sauveur air-base 116, in Saint-Sauveur, France, on March 13, 2022. (AFP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hopes on Friday to see French-supplied warplanes in Ukrainian skies soon. This followed an announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, stating that France plans to provide Ukraine with Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets.
Zelensky has long expressed his frustration over the time Western allies take to make crucial decisions regarding military aid for Ukraine in the NATO-orchestrated war with Russia.
"I'm sure that a day will come when Ukraine will see the same jets in our skies that we saw in Normandy skies yesterday," Zelenskiy told French lawmakers, referring to Thursday's commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy.
"Your combat aviation, brilliant fighter jets under Ukrainian pilots' command will prove that Europe is stronger, stronger than the evil which dared to threaten it," Zelenskiy said.
Macron also drew a parallel with D-Day, assuring that Europe would not falter in its support for Ukraine. Although he did not specify the number of Dassault-made Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets France would provide, he confirmed that Paris would send the planes and train Ukrainian pilots by the end of the year.
Mirage 2000-5, desperate Ukraine
The Mirage 2000-5 is a versatile, single-engine jet fighter. France plans to replace its existing Mirage fleet with Rafale warplanes by 2030. Additionally, France hopes to persuade other countries that operate Mirages to supply them to Ukraine.
Late last month, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky announced on May 27 that the initial French military instructors are expected to travel to Ukraine soon. The announcement was issued following a video call involving Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
"I have already signed the documents that will allow the first French instructors to visit our training centers soon and get acquainted with their infrastructure and personnel," Syrsky said on social media. "I welcome the initiative of France to send instructors to Ukraine to train Ukrainian servicemen."
In response, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on June 5 that any French military instructor present in Ukraine to train its forces would be a “legitimate target” for Russian armed forces.
Ukraine's military leaders admit that the situation on the eastern front has deteriorated. Two years of war have depleted Ukraine's ammunition and manpower.
Although the US Congress finally approved a long-delayed $60 billion military package in April, analysts warn that a severe global shortage of artillery shells means Ukraine is likely to be outgunned by Russia.
