Volodymyr Zelensky obtained a renewed commitment from Paris on Sunday, particularly in the field of light armor, during a dinner with Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace. This meeting marks a continuity in France’s military support for Ukraine, the question of the delivery of combat aircraft remaining however “premature” in the eyes of Paris.
“In the weeks to come, France will train and equip several battalions with dozens of armored vehicles and light tanks, including AMX-10 RC”, is it specified in a joint declaration published at the end of the dinner. France had undertaken at the beginning of 2023 to cede AMX-10 RC to Ukraine, often used in reconnaissance missions. Some copies of these vehicles have already been present on the battlefield since the beginning of spring. But the number promised by France has never been disclosed. The announcements made on Sunday are new, noted an adviser from the Elysée, without further details.
Paris is also focusing its “efforts on supporting Ukraine’s air defense capabilities” in order to protect civilian populations from Russian bombing. The two leaders also took stock of the military situation and the “security guarantees” to be provided to Ukraine, once the conditions for peace negotiations are met.