Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukraine’s President, expressed gratitude to France on Friday for its assistance, indicating his anticipation for the arrival of French warplanes in Ukraine. This comes one day after President Emmanuel Macron of France outlined plans to supply Ukraine with Mirage 2000 fighter jets.
The Kremlin hit back at Macron on Friday, stating through state news agency RIA that Macron’s statement was extremely provocative and asserted it was causing tension throughout Europe.
Zelenskiy has repeatedly aired his grievances over the protracted period Western allies are taking to approve critical decisions on military aid for Ukraine, as well as to deliver tangible assistance in its conflict against Russian invaders.
“When the day arrives, Ukraine will experience the same aircraft in our atmosphere that we witnessed over Normandy skies recently,” Zelenskiy stated to French parliamentarians, looking back at World War II aircraft that participated in the 80th D-Day Memorial in Normandy where he attended on the previous Thursday.
Zelenskiy stated, “Capable and agile French fighter jets, under the control of Ukrainian pilots, will demonstrate the might of Europe, more potent than the malign forces that have tried to intimidate it.”
Encouraging unity, he reiterated, “Just like 80 years before, we have the capacity to demonstrate – the strength of our unity, our alliance, and our shared principles.”
US President Joe Biden urged Western nations at the D-Day ceremony not to yield to Russian oppression and to persist in their support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Macron confirmed Europe’s unwavering commitment, without specifying terms for the provision of the Mirage jets nor the training of Ukrainian pilots in France from the summer.
The Mirage 2000 is a versatile, single-engine fighter plane.
Zelenskiy echoed the unity mantra, “In 80 years, our collaborative efforts today will be remembered as a successful combat.” On a sobering note, he acknowledged that the French National Assembly, which had given him multiple standing ovations, seemed less occupied than when he first addressed them in March 2022. Lastly, Zelenskiy confidently assured the assembly “Putin’s victory is impossible – we simply cannot afford to be defeated.”
“Is it plausible for the current conflict to cease based on existing boundaries? Certainly not, as the boundaries of malevolence have never existed, neither in the past 80 years nor today,” admitted the top brass of Ukraine’s military, acknowledging the degradation of the combat status on the eastern flank. Ukraine’s resources of arms and manpower have been drained by two years of conflict, and the failed counterstrategy from the previous year has only further undermined morale.
After continuous delays, the United States Congress eventually confirmed a substantial $60 billion (€55 billion) US military provision this past April. However, due to a critical global dearth of artillery munitions, Ukraine is predicted to remain outgunned by Russia for the rest of the year, despite the increased production efforts of Kyiv’s associates.
On the anniversary of D-Day, a profound exchange took place between President Zelenskiy and a veteran. The elderly veteran, bound by a wheelchair, thanked him, kissing his hand and proclaiming Zelenskiy as the “protector of the populace.” Zelenskiy, moved by the gesture, lowered himself to the veteran’s level, and humbly replied, “No, it’s you who have safeguarded Europe.”
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