France Pledges Faster Air Defence Deliveries to Ukraine After Macron Call
France agrees to accelerate air defence deliveries to Ukraine, including missiles, after a call between Macron and Zelenskiy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Saturday that France has agreed to speed up the delivery of new military equipment and missiles to Kyiv. The commitment came after a nearly two-hour phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, during which they addressed Ukraine's critical shortage of air defence systems.
Zelenskiy said Macron expressed readiness to intercede with allies holding stocks of U.S.-made Patriot interceptor missiles. The Patriot system is currently the only weapon in Ukraine's arsenal capable of intercepting high-speed ballistic missiles used by Russian forces. Ukraine has repeatedly called for more of these interceptors as Russian airstrikes have intensified.
In his statement on the Telegram app, Zelenskiy confirmed the agreement to accelerate deliveries of "the latest French equipment and missiles" and thanked Macron for confirming France's readiness to provide licenses for missile production in Ukraine.
Macron, in a statement on X, expressed his "horror and deep emotion" over a Russian drone strike on a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih on Friday that killed at least 16 people and wounded 130. He said Russia's targeting of civilians reveals its weakness despite seeking to project strength.
The French president also said he had agreed to strengthen support for Ukraine, including through interceptor missile deliveries, in line with commitments made at last month's launch of the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition. That Paris-hosted initiative groups 10 European countries to develop a cheaper alternative to the Patriot system.
Ukraine is also awaiting delivery of the new Italo-French SAMP/T-NG missile defence system, which experts believe could down ballistic missiles, though it has not yet been battle-tested. European diplomats had previously suggested it would not arrive before spring next year. The Aster missile used in the system is produced by Eurosam, a joint venture between MBDA and France's Thales.
Zelenskiy said the two leaders also discussed peace talks and communications with Washington, agreeing on steps that could open additional diplomatic opportunities. Macron is due to co-chair a meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" group of pro-Ukraine countries in Kyiv on Monday, alongside British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Zelenskiy will attend the meeting, which will be held both in person and remotely.