9 minutes agoFrance does not rule out the possibility of sending combat aircraft to Ukraine
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)French President Emmanuel Macron said today that France does not rule out the possibility of sending combat aircraft to Ukraine, but that provided numerous conditions before such an important step is taken. France has sent air defence systems, missile launchers, cannons and other military equipment to Ukraine and has pledged [...]
French President Emmanuel Macron said today that France does not rule out the possibility of sending combat aircraft to Ukraine, but that provided numerous conditions before such an important step is taken.
France has sent air defence systems, missile launchers, cannons and other military equipment to Ukraine and has also pledged to send armoured vehicles for surveillance and combat, but has not sent more heavy tanks or weapons.
Asked at a press conference in The Hague if France is considering the possibility of sending combat aircraft, Macron said that “nothing is excluded” as long as certain conditions are met.
Among these conditions are the assurance that such devices will not be used for an escalation of tensions or will not be used “to affect Russian soil” and that this would not “increase the capabilities of the French Army”.
He also said Ukraine would have to officially search for planes. Macron noted he will meet with Ukrainian Defence Minister Olex Reznikov in Paris on Tuesday.
Ukrainian officials have stepped up demands for heavier weapons from Western allies to confront Russian forces.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who was at the conference with Macron, said Ukraine has not officially requested Dutch fighter F-16s so far. He took a more cautious approach after Dutch Foreign Minister told lawmakers earlier this month that there were no “no taboo” for sending combat aircraft.
“does not speak of sending F-16s to Ukraine. There is no” requirement,- Rutte said today. There is no “tabu, but it would be another big step”.
It is very important that we continue to support Ukraine and that Ukraine articulate the things it needs”, - Rutte said.
He welcomed recent German and American reports of sending tanks to Ukraine.
“Like Holland, we will continue to see what we can do,”- Rutte said. We don't have Leopard 2 tanks, we rent them. We've said if this helps, we're prepared to buy and pass. Maybe it's better to use Leopard 2 rented somewhere else“- he said. /Apnews
