France to Send Mirage 2000 Warplanes to Ukraine, Says President Macron

President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will provide Mirage 2000 warplanes to Ukraine and will train Ukrainian pilots this summer. However, Macron did not specify the number of jets, the timeline, or the financial terms of the deal. He also mentioned that France has proposed to train 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers but did not elaborate on the training locations.

Strained French-Russian Relations

The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between France and Russia, especially following Macron’s comments about the potential deployment of French troops in Ukraine. The Kremlin has warned that French soldiers in Ukraine would be legitimate targets for Russian forces.

Putin's Retaliation Threats

In response to Western countries, including France, supporting Ukraine with long-range missiles, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to supply similar weapons to adversaries within striking distance of Western nations. During the annual economic forum in St. Petersburg, Putin said, “If we see that these countries are being drawn into a war against the Russian Federation, then we reserve the right to act in the same way. In general, this is a path to very serious problems.”

Key Developments

• France to Send Mirage 2000 Warplanes: Macron announced the plan to support Ukraine with aircraft and pilot training.
• Russian Threats: Putin warned of retaliatory measures against countries aiding Ukraine.
• US Stance: President Joe Biden called Putin a “dictator” and clarified that the US is not authorizing strikes deep inside Russia, but only near the border where Russian forces are attacking Ukraine.

US Position

During his trip to France for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, President Biden described Putin as “not a decent man” but “a dictator.” Biden emphasized that US-authorized weapons for Ukraine are intended for use near the border and not for strikes deep inside Russian territory.

Conclusion

The situation remains tense as Western support for Ukraine increases and Russia issues retaliatory threats. France's decision to send Mirage 2000 warplanes and train Ukrainian pilots marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict, reflecting the broader geopolitical struggle between Russia and the West.