This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.
French President Emmanuel Macron says France will supply air-defense systems to Ukraine following a wave of air strikes by Russia this week that he said aimed “to shatter Ukrainian resistance.”
France will deliver radars, systems, and missiles in the coming weeks to protect Ukraine from the attacks, Macron said on October 12, adding that France was also negotiating to send six Caesar mobile artillery units to Ukraine.
Speaking to broadcaster France 2, he reiterated that he reached an agreement that the Caesars, which were manufactured for Denmark, will be redirected to Ukraine.
He also said the war had entered “an unprecedented stage” since the weekend.
“This is a new phase of bombing coming from land, sea, air, and drones against essential infrastructure and civilians,” Macron said.
Macron repeated that he believes a negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia would happen at some point to end the conflict, but it must be on Kyiv’s terms.
“Today, first of all, Vladimir Putin must stop this war, respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and come back to the table for talks,” Macron said.
Macron also said he believes Kyiv will have to negotiate with Putin at some point despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy saying he refused to do so.
