Macron Agrees to Accelerate French Air Defence Deliveries to Ukraine: Zelenskiy

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said French President Emmanuel Macron has agreed to accelerate deliveries of air defence equipment and interceptor missiles to Ukraine as Kyiv seeks to strengthen its ability to counter intensified Russian missile and drone attacks.

Zelenskiy made the remarks following a nearly two-hour telephone conversation with Macron, during which the two leaders discussed Ukraine’s urgent air defence requirements, ongoing diplomatic efforts and efforts to advance negotiations aimed at ending the war.

According to Zelenskiy, Macron also agreed to engage with countries possessing U.S.-made Patriot air defence systems and encourage them to provide additional systems or missiles to Ukraine. Kyiv has repeatedly appealed to its international partners for more Patriot capabilities, particularly to defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks.

Ukraine is also awaiting the delivery of the SAMP/T-NG air defence system, jointly developed by France and Italy. The system is not expected to arrive until spring next year, prompting Kyiv to seek additional interim capabilities.

The two leaders also discussed efforts to enable Ukraine to manufacture interceptor missiles domestically, including the Aster missile used by the SAMP/T system. Such arrangements could strengthen Ukraine’s long-term ability to replenish its air defence stocks.

Macron condemned a recent Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih that killed 16 civilians. He said the continued Russian attacks demonstrated what he described as the weakness of Moscow’s strategy.

The French president also reaffirmed France’s participation in the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition, a 10-country European initiative launched in July to develop enhanced missile defence capabilities.

The discussions came ahead of a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, scheduled for Monday and co-chaired by Macron, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Zelenskiy is expected to participate remotely from Kyiv.

The latest commitments underline continued European efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities amid sustained Russian attacks and growing concern over Kyiv’s ability to intercept ballistic and other advanced missiles.