France Surprises Ukraine with Offer of Mirage 2000-5 Fighters: New Phase in French Support for Ukrainian Defense

President Emmanuel Macron surprised many with his announcement on Thursday that France would transfer Mirage 2000-5 fighters to Ukraine. This came after previously stating that this was not a priority request from Ukraine. The French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, had mentioned that maintaining these planes presented significant challenges due to limited numbers in the French air force.

In a televised interview, Macron emphasized that France was committed to peace but not at the cost of Ukraine’s capitulation. He mentioned the priority given to F-16s from other countries for Ukrainian pilots’ training and clarified that France was willing to send instructors despite Moscow seeing it as a confrontation. He expressed the need to respond when Ukraine faced challenges.

The detailed announcements were scheduled for after a meeting with the Ukrainian president at the Elysée. Macron stated that France would launch a pilot training program and transfer aircraft to help Ukraine defend its territory and airspace. Questions arose regarding which specific Mirage aircraft would be transferred and if the French fighter group would have to give up some of its planes.

While Macron expressed plans to train Ukrainian soldiers and have a fully equipped brigade, there were concerns about the feasibility of meeting these goals within the proposed timeline. Moreover, sending instructors to Ukraine and training a brigade in France faced some resistance in Europe. Macron’s announcements signified a new phase in France’s support for Ukraine, aiming to equip and train soldiers for defense.

Macron’s decision came as a surprise since Paris had previously indicated that this was not a priority request from Ukraine. However, he emphasized that France was committed to peace but not at the cost of Ukraine’s capitulation.

The French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, had mentioned that maintaining these planes presented significant challenges due to limited numbers in the French air force.

President Macron expressed his commitment by saying he would send instructors despite Moscow seeing it as confrontation.

Macron clarified that this move was aimed at responding when Ukraine faced challenges.

Furthermore, questions were raised regarding which specific Mirage aircraft would be transferred and if there would be any sacrifice of French fighter group planes.

Despite these concerns, President Emmanuel Macron announced plans for training Ukrainian soldiers and establishing fully equipped brigades within an ambitious timeline.

This decision signaled a new phase in France’s support for Ukraine by equipping and training soldiers for defense purposes only days before NATO summit in Bucharest is set take place.