Russia: Macron's statements about Ukraine inflame tensions in Europe

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that French President Emmanuel Macron's recent statements "inflame" tensions in Europe and show that he is "preparing France to play a direct role" in Ukraine, after he promised to deliver Mirage planes to Kiev and help train its pilots.

Russian news agencies quoted Peskov on Friday as saying, “Macron shows absolute support for the Kiev regime and declares readiness for France’s direct participation in the military conflict,” adding, “We consider these statements to be very provocative, inflame tensions on the continent and do not lead to anything positive.”

Macron refused to rule out deploying forces in Ukraine despite other members of NATO abstaining from doing so, and an angry condemnation from Moscow, which said last Tuesday that it would consider any foreign trainers sent to Ukraine as “legitimate targets” for its strikes.

In this context, Emmanuel Macron announced, during his interview with French television yesterday, Thursday, that Paris will transport “Mirage 2000” fighter planes to Kiev, and said that he will have a meeting today, Friday, with the Ukrainian president at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Macron added: “Tomorrow we will launch a new cooperation and announce the transfer of Mirage 2000 fighter planes to Ukraine.”

While none of the French institutions have yet specified how many planes Ukraine will receive, the French president said the delivery process "usually takes between five and six months. So by the end of the year there will be pilots. The pilots will be trained in France."

In addition to strengthening the Ukrainian Air Force, Macron announced that France will equip and train an entire brigade of 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers.

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine, and to end it, it stipulated that Kiev “abandon” plans to join military entities, which prompted capitals, led by Washington, to impose severe economic sanctions on Moscow.