Licenses for air-defense missile production are being handed to Ukraine by France

Zelensky and Macron hold talks on air defense

According to 5 канал: In a nearly two-hour call, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron focused on how to strengthen Ukraine's aerial defense capabilities. Zelensky said France is ready to help shield Ukraine from Russian aerial attacks and to facilitate contacts with other allies that possess Patriot interceptor missiles. This development is part of broader Western efforts to support Kyiv against ongoing Russian air strikes.

The two leaders discussed Russian drone and missile assaults, as well as steps to speed up the delivery of advanced French equipment and missiles.

“A very good conversation with Emmanuel, the President of France. We spoke for almost 2 hours today about all the most important topics. Above all, this concerns the need for air defense,” the Ukrainian president noted.

France confirmed it will provide licenses for missile manufacturing, a move that could significantly boost Ukraine's defense capacity. Zelensky also said the conversation covered defense funding for this year and next, along with bilateral defense arrangements that should be accelerated.

“We also discussed the state of diplomatic work with partners and communication with the team of the President of America. We agreed on steps that can open up additional diplomatic opportunities,” he added.

According to a statement on Zelensky's Telegram channel, Ukraine is ready to buy anti-ballistic missiles from its partners to reinforce its air defense. During a recent nighttime attack on Kyiv, Russia deployed a range of weapons; Ukrainian forces downed most of the cruise missiles but were unable to intercept the ballistic ones, underscoring the urgent need for stronger air-defense systems.

International support for Ukraine's defense

The call between the two presidents highlights the critical role of international assistance in strengthening Ukraine's defenses amid persistent Russian threats. Deepening cooperation with France and other allies on modern weaponry could have a major impact on the effectiveness of Ukraine's air defense and on broader regional security.

With recent strikes on Ukrainian cities, such efforts are essential to safeguarding civilians and critical infrastructure.

In light of the ongoing discussions regarding air defense, it's worth noting that Zelensky's recent talks with Rutte also focused on missile supplies following the recent large-scale strike on Kyiv. This highlights the urgent need for enhanced defense capabilities in the face of persistent threats from Russia.