France will hand over fourth-generation multi-purpose fighter jets to Ukraine " Mirage-2000" and will train Ukrainian fighter pilots on its territory, said President Emmanuel Macron in an interview with French television, quoted by BNR.
"Tomorrow /b.r. today/ we are launching a new cooperation and announcing the delivery to Ukraine of "Mirage 2000" fighter jets manufactured by "Dassault Aviation", said Macron, who is expected to receive Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysee Palace.
Ukraine has asked its Western allies to send military instructors to train its forces on its territory, Macron announced, AFP reported. He assured that there are currently no French military instructors on Ukrainian soil.
The reason for the request is the need for adequate training of the growing army.
"There is a capacity challenge (of instructors in Ukraine). That is why the Ukrainian president and defense minister (of Ukraine) turned to all allies - 48 hours ago in an official letter - saying: “We need you to train us faster and do it on our territory,”, Macron said.
France plans to train 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers on its territory - one brigade, the head of state said.
Emmanuel Macron stressed that France does not want an “escalation of the war, but peace ... will only be achieved if Ukraine can resist”.
„The situation is difficult”, the French president admitted, adding that the Russian army is delivering “heavy blows” in Kharkiv region.
„Peace cannot mean capitulation of Ukraine. Peace must come through negotiations, he added.
According to Macron, this moment has not yet come, “because Russia continues to advance”, BNR adds.