French President Emmanuel Macron inspects the training of Ukrainian troops at a military camp in Eastern France, showing support for Ukraine as its Western allies consider a victory plan backed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Associated Press reported, BTA reported.
The Ukrainian brigade that Macron visited is being prepared and armed by France for deployment on the front line against the Russian invasion. For security reasons, Macron's office said the specific location of the base could not be disclosed.
French servicemen are training 2,300 Ukrainian soldiers at the base, teaching them how to use and maintain French-supplied weapons and subjecting them to combat-like conditions with stress, noise and drones.
For the first time, Macron is meeting some of the 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers France has trained since the full-scale Russian invasion that began in February 2022.
Ukraine's new 155th Brigade will eventually consist of 4,500 servicemen. Of these, 2,300 trained in France, forming three infantry battalions, plus engineers, artillery teams and other specialists. The other battalions of the brigade will be trained by Ukraine to reach the total strength of the unit.
France also equipped the brigade with a range of weapons and provided training in their use and maintenance. Macron's office announced that the brigade will receive 128 armored personnel carriers, 18 "Caesar" artillery units. and 18 AMX light tanks, as well as anti-tank missiles "Milan“ and heavy trucks. Macron has promised military aid to Ukraine worth up to 3 billion euros this year, his office said.
About 1,500 French servicemen are participating in the training of the brigade, adapted to frontline conditions, over several months.
Macron's renewed focus on Ukraine also reflects how changing politics in France has weakened his influence on domestic affairs. His decision to call a snap parliamentary election in June backfired, leaving him with a minority government and strengthening the position of his opponents in parliament.
The inspection of Ukrainian troops being trained is intended to highlight that Macron's influence in defense and foreign affairs remains largely intact, AP said.