 "France pledges $2 billion military aid to Ukraine ahead of key summit in Paris. File image/Reuters")
France has announced a new military aid package worth 2 billion euros ($2.1 billion) for Ukraine, The Kyiv Independent reported.
President Emmanuel Macron made this announcement on March 26 during a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart, President Volodymyr Zelensky, in Paris.
“We must continue supporting Ukraine to help maintain its resistance,” Macron said.
The aid will include anti-tank missiles, air defence systems, Mirage fighter jet missiles, armoured vehicles, and ammunition. It will also support the production of military equipment in Ukraine.
“Our goal is to help Ukraine firstly to hold the situation on the front line, to resist [Russian] aggression, but at the same time to bring closer the prospects for a lasting peace that we all want to see,” Macron said.
‘Coalition of the willing’ summit
The two leaders met ahead of the “coalition of the willing” summit. The summit, set to take place in Paris on March 27, will also bring together Germany, Poland, the UK, and other countries that have pledged to support Ukraine’s security after the war.
Earlier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said that more than 30 nations have shown interest in joining the coalition’s peacekeeping force, adding that the initiative has now moved to the “operational phase.”
Macron said the summit will focus on military aid for Ukraine, monitoring any ceasefire, shaping Ukraine’s future army, and ensuring security guarantees.
US-proposed ceasefire
Ukraine agreed to a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire, stating on March 11 that it is ready if Russia also agrees. However, Russia has so far refused to accept the terms unconditionally.