“Finally, France is being tough on Russia,” Ukrainians rejoice after Emmanuel Macron’s announcements

Delivery of fighter planes, dispatch of instructors… The Ukrainian media took up with satisfaction the declarations of the head of state, made during an interview on June 6.

“Finally, France is being harsh towards Russia., enthuses Tymofiy, a former colonel in Ukrainian military intelligence. France will supply Mirage 2000-5 fighter planes to Ukraine in the war between it and Russia, Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday June 7. “We will announce the sale of Mirage 2000-5” on the occasion of Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to France, declared the French president during an interview on TF1 and France 2, at the end of a day of commemorations of the Landing of June 6, 1944, to which the president was invited Ukrainian.

These devices, the number of which was not specified, “will enable Ukraine to protect its soil and airspace“, declared Emmanuel Macron. This delivery of Mirage 2000-5 combat aircraft will be accompanied by “training sessions“. Emmanuel Macron wishes that “pilots can be trained this summer” for them to “have these planes“, “from the end of the year” because “it takes five to six months” for complete training.

In Ukraine, the media all took up these announcements, emphasizing recognition of this French decision, while also remembering that France has long been reluctant to send fighter planes. According to Tymofiy, there is no doubt: the Mirage 2000-5s will repel Russian planes and their remote-controlled bombs which explode on the Ukrainian side. “These planes can destroy targets in the air up to 150 to 200 km away, and this will help prevent Russian planes from firing too close to the Ukrainian border or the front line.“, he says. But it will take another year, he regrets, to train the pilots and ensure maintenance.

The former soldier also welcomes the formation by France of a brigade of 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers: a sensitive issue for the Kremlin, but very important for kyiv. According to the former soldier, however, this is not so decisive. Besides, what does it matter, he says, if the French instructors operate in Ukraine or elsewhere: “In Ukraine, they remain under threat of missile strikes, because the Russians know well where our fields and training centers are“, he slips.

At his side, Nadiia, university professor, sums up: “This decision by President Macron proves that the world is on Ukraine’s side. It gives us hope that they all want us to win“. Because “what we want is peacethey saybut after the victory“.

For its part, Russia accused Emmanuel Macron on Friday of fueling tensions in Europe with his statements described by the Kremlin as “extremely provocative” on Ukraine, the RIA news agency reported.