Zelensky in Paris to seek air defense help for Ukraine

PARIS, November 18 ------ Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky visits Paris in a new bid to secure weaponry to defend his country against increasingly lethal Russian missile and drone attacks. Zelensky’s visit is part of a brief tour of his western allies that saw him seal an energy deal with Greece on Sunday, and will include a visit to Spain today.

The Ukrainian leader has said that “a major deal with France” will be announced soon, but it was not known if that would be finalized in his talks with President Emmanuel Macron. The French presidency said Macron would “put French excellence in the armaments industry field at the service of the defense of Ukraine.” Paris, he said, would propose ways to allow Ukraine “to acquire the systems that it needs to answer Russian aggression.” Macron’s office notably highlighted air defenses.

Zelensky and Macron will start the day at the Villacoublay air base near Paris for a presentation of France’s Rafale fighter jet. They will also look at drones and France’s SAMP-T surface-to-air missile system it developed with Italy. Ukraine already has one of the current SAMP-Ts that can counter fighter jets as well as cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles. A new-generation, more powerful SAMP-T system should become available from 2027.

Drones and missiles

France has already promised more of its Aster missiles that can be fired from the SAMP-T or from aircraft to Ukraine. “We are also working on deliveries of other advanced air-defense systems and strengthening our aviation — a major deal with France is in preparation and will be finalized soon — a historic agreement,” Zelensky said in a video released Friday.

Zelensky and Macron will then go on to a forum at the Elysee Palace on the joint production of drones. Ukraine has said it plans to use more than 4.5 million drones this year, for frontline attacks and to fight off Russian drones. The two presidents will also visit the headquarters of a Ukrainian multinational force that France and Britain are preparing in the event of an international force being deployed in Ukraine after any ceasefire. The headquarters at Mont Valerien, west of Paris, is where countries from the “coalition of the willing” organized by France and Britain have sent officers to prepare the force. France said that 34 countries and Ukraine have already offered to take part.

Source: manilatimes.net