In a significant move, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the transfer of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine alongside the initiation of a rigorous training program for Ukrainian pilots. This declaration comes just two days before the European elections and serves to fortify Ukraine's defenses amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Raphaël Glucksmann, the head of the socialist list, endorsed Macron's decision, emphasizing the necessity of supporting Ukraine not just out of solidarity but also to safeguard European security. Glucksmann acknowledged the potential instability in Europe should Ukraine be defeated, thus justifying France's engagement. However, he critiqued the timing of the announcement, suggesting it came too late, but nonetheless affirmed it as the correct course of action.
Macron detailed that Ukrainian pilots would commence training in France from this summer, a process expected to take five to six months. The Mirage 2000-5 jets, a modern iteration of the Mirage 2000-C, will significantly bolster Ukraine's ability to protect its airspace. Additionally, Macron revealed plans to form a coalition with other international partners to enhance Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
On the diplomatic front, Macron is poised to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Élysée Palace, where further details might be uncovered. This meeting will also see the signing of agreements amounting to 650 million euros in loans and donations aimed at reinforcing Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure, frequently targeted by Russian forces.
Despite increasing threats from Moscow, Macron assured that France's actions do not imply cobelligerence but rather support for a nation resisting invasion. This stance echoes comments from Glucksmann, who called for accelerated decisions and demonstrated firmness towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he labeled as a tyrant.
- The Mirage 2000-5 jets, commissioned in 1999 and produced by the Dassault group, are a vital part of the French Air Force's fleet. Forty such aircraft are currently in operation, utilized in both domestic missions and foreign operations.
- The pilot training program highlighted by Macron is part of a broader strategy to fortify Ukraine's military preparedness. The inclusion of partners in forming a coalition underscores France's commitment to a collaborative international effort in supporting Ukraine.
- This latest development follows a series of discussions; in January, the head of the Ukrainian Air Force had alluded to potential deliveries of Mirage 2000-D aircraft on social media, although an agreement had yet to be confirmed by either Paris or Kyiv.
- Macron's emphasis on preventing escalation while supporting Ukraine remains a central aspect of France's policy. The situation calls for a delicate balance of aiding Ukrainian resistance without engaging in direct conflict with Russia.
