Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded Wednesday evening February 8 in Paris that his allies deliver combat planes to him in ” earlier “ to fend off Russia, having done the same in London on a surprise European tour.
With the approach of the first anniversary of the invasion launched by Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2022, which transformed him into a warlord, the Ukrainian leader was welcomed at the Elysée Palace by Emmanuel Macron, who had also invited the Chancellor German Olaf Scholz for a late dinner.
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In front of the press, the two European leaders temporized on the question of the planes, a new step in the support for kyiv to which the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had, earlier in the day in London, seemed to pave the way with caution.
“We have very little time”
This Thursday, February 9, Volodymyr Zelensky, whose second trip abroad for a year after the United States in December, must go to Brussels for a summit of the European Union. He will travel to the Belgian capital by plane from Paris, accompanied by his French counterpart.
“It is a strong signal that the President is personally participating in this first meeting of the year of EU Heads of State and Government, a signal of European solidarity”welcomed Olaf Scholz.
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The moment is crucial for Ukraine, which is worried about the recent successes of the Russian army in the Donbass and fears a major offensive in the coming weeks. “We have very little time”hammered the Ukrainian president at the Elysée. “The sooner Ukraine gets long-range heavy weaponry, the sooner our pilots get planes, the sooner this Russian aggression will end and we could return to peace in Europe”he added during this flash stage of a trip kept secret until the last moment.
Macron promises to continue “the effort” arms deliveries
To Olaf Scholf, who agreed to provide heavy tanks only after a long resistance and is opposed to sending fighters, he assured that it was the best choice “more rational today”. The Chancellor confined himself to assuring him that the allies would support his country, particularly militarily, “as long as necessary”.
At his side, Emmanuel Macron promised to continue “the effort” of “delivery of defense equipment”according to “operational needs” he intended to discuss during their interview.
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“We stand with Ukraine”, “with the determination to accompany him towards victory and the restoration of his legitimate rights”said the French president, who also said he wanted “building peace” with Volodymyr Zelensky, in particular by a “international conference” engaging “the maximum number of partners”.
“Fighters for Ukraine, wings for freedom”
The Parisian dinner contrasted with the pomp of the British visit, where the Ukrainian president addressed the assembled Parliament in the grandiose setting of Westminster Hall, which hosted rare foreign leaders such as the Frenchman Charles de Gaulle in 1960, but also the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in September.
“We know freedom will win, we know Russia will lose”insisted the Ukrainian leader in London. “I ask you and the world for simple yet very important words: fighter jets for Ukraine, wings for freedom”he launched, before concluding with thanks “for delicious English tea” And “ahead for the powerful British planes”.
In front of the press, alongside the Ukrainian President, Rishi Sunak acknowledged that aircraft deliveries were “of course part of the conversation” but pointed out that the necessary training could reach three years. Smiling, his guest replied that the Ukrainian pilots, given their experience of the war, had already followed the equivalent of ” two and a half years “ of training. However, he admitted that the priority for the moment was to receive armor and long-range weapons.
Heavy tanks operational by the end of April
So far, Westerners have been reluctant to take this extra step for fear of an escalation with Moscow. But the taboos have been falling one after the other for a year and the supporters of kyiv have already agreed in January to provide heavy tanks.
On these points, London affirmed that its Challenger tanks would be operational ” next month “, and promised to send longer-range artillery capabilities immediately, without detailing. Germany intends to provide with its allies at the end of April a first battalion of its highly anticipated Leopard 2 tanks.
The Russian Embassy in the UK has warned that aircraft deliveries will not go unnoticed ” answer “ : “In such a scenario, the bloody harvest of the next cycle of escalation will be on your conscience, along with the military and political consequences for the European continent and the whole world”.
In recent weeks, the Russian army, supported by the paramilitaries of the Wagner group and reinforced by hundreds of thousands of mobilized civilians, has returned to the attack, in particular in the Donbass, whose Moscow claims the annexation.
