France to 'change course' on Ukraine
(Baonghean.vn) - French Ambassador to Ukraine Gael Veyssiere said on January 2 that Paris intends to promote Kiev's own military industry instead of continuing to send equipment to this country.
According to RT, France has provided Ukraine with military aid worth more than 3.2 billion euros ($3.51 billion), including 30 Caesar self-propelled guns, light tanks and armored personnel carriers, anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, as well as “several dozen” Storm Shadow long-range missiles, among other weapons.
Speaking to France Info radio, Ambassador Veyssiere said that President Emmanuel Macron’s government intends to continue its strategy of supporting Ukraine. However, Veyssiere noted: “It will gradually change its nature because the goal is to produce more weapons in Ukraine, rather than just doing it through donations or sales.” The diplomat said that it would “take a little time” for the policy to change.
Ambassador Veyssiere stressed that 2024 will be “the year when arms production in Ukraine must increase and when Ukraine must increasingly be able to rely on its own resources, produced on its own territory.”
The French ambassador's remarks are said to be similar to the stance adopted by Washington in recent months, as the US and its allies exhaust the arsenal they can send to Kiev.
However, over the past few days, Russia has targeted Ukraine's remaining military-industrial complex in heavy drone and missile attacks, in particular missile and drone production facilities, as well as depots for long-range missiles supplied to Kiev by the West.
The bombing campaign followed a Ukrainian missile attack on the Russian city of Belgorod, which killed 25 civilians and injured 100. Some Western-supplied weapons were used in the attack.
Asked about the Belgorod attack, Mr. Veyssiere stressed that “Ukraine is defending itself.” The French ambassador also noted that Kiev “has the means” to carry out President Vladimir Zelensky’s vow to “destroy” Russia.
“President Zelensky announced that Ukraine will produce one million Ukrainian drones by 2024. And besides, Ukraine is not alone. They are helped by friendly and partner countries that are providing them with military equipment,” said Mr. Veyssiere.