Macron promises to accelerate military aid to Ukraine, Zelensky: We agreed on French missiles

France will accelerate the supply of new military equipment to Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said after a roughly two-hour phone call with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, held following the deadly Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih.

According to Zelensky, Macron expressed his willingness to mediate with allied countries that have stocks of Patriot interceptor missiles.

Patriot systems are considered among the most important systems for countering the ballistic missiles Russia uses in its war against Ukraine. Amid the intensification of Russian strikes, Kyiv has repeatedly asked its international partners for new supplies of air-defense missiles.

“We agreed to accelerate the delivery of French equipment and missiles,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram, without providing further details. He added: “Thank you for confirming your readiness to grant licenses for the production of missiles.”

Ukraine is also expecting the SAMP/T-NG air-defense system, developed by Italy and France. The system is expected to be capable of neutralizing ballistic missiles, although it has not yet been tested in wartime conditions. European diplomats have said that the system is not expected to be delivered to Ukraine before next spring.

During the conversation, Macron conveyed to Zelensky “his horror and deep emotion” following the Russian attack on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih, the Ukrainian president’s hometown. At least 16 people were killed in the strike, while more than 130 others were injured.

“By systematically targeting civilians and choosing intimidation and escalation, Russia is trying to show strength, but above all it is revealing its weakness,” Macron said.

Zelensky said that his communication with the French president also addressed the situation surrounding the peace negotiations, as well as cooperation and contacts with the United States.

“We agreed on steps that could create new diplomatic opportunities,” the Ukrainian president said.