Macron announces rebuilding of Ukraine's army after ceasefire
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron (Getty Images)
President of France Emmanuel Macron has announced a full rebuilding of the Ukrainian Armed Forces after a ceasefire is signed. According to him, this is necessary to counter any potential new aggression, said the French leader during a joint briefing with the President of Ukraine.
"The document we signed today fits into a new phase of reintegration and rebuilding of the Ukrainian Armed Forces after a ceasefire. So that Ukraine's military is strong and able to deter any possibility of renewed aggression," he emphasized.
Macron said this is why he and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discussed ways to strengthen Ukraine's Air Force with new capabilities. He also recalled the Ukrainian President's earlier call to secure the country’s airspace.
"Now, once a ceasefire is signed, we must fully rebuild Ukraine’s forces, including the Air Force, so that they can withstand new aggression. And that is why we need to plan the financing today, as we intend to do," the French President said.
According to him, the plan includes creating government legislation on naval planning and financing the investments that will be directed toward these projects.
"We also hope to establish European defense instruments, including the SAFE instrument, where we want to introduce a European preference and fund defense. And additionally, the ERA instrument, the ERA fund, where we want to direct resources specifically to defense needs," Macron noted.
The French leader explained that implementation will be comprehensive and will depend on the stages of the program implementation, adding that this is very important for France.
The Ukraine–France declaration
On Monday, November 17, Ukraine and France signed a declaration of intent for Kyiv to acquire aircraft, drones, and air defense systems.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the document grants Ukraine the ability to purchase French military equipment. This includes 100 Rafale F4 aircraft planned for acquisition by 2035 for Ukraine’s combat aviation, SAMP-T air defense systems, air-defense radars, air-to-air missiles, and aerial bombs.
