France has announced plans to send dozens more light tanks and armoured vehicles to Ukraine and provide the necessary training to the soldiers
France has announced plans to send dozens more light tanks and armoured vehicles to Ukraine and provide the necessary training to the soldiers, to help them defend their sovereignty against the invading Russian troops.
The announcement was made after the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy flew into France late on Sunday, i.e., May 14, 2023, to join the President of France – Emmanuel Macron for a working dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
A Joint Statement read, “In the coming weeks, France will train and equip several battalions with tens of armoured vehicles and light tanks including AMX-10RC.”
It further read, “Ukraine and France agree on the need to increase collective pressure on Russia through further sanctions to weaken Russia’s ability to continue its illegal war of aggression.”
Taking it to twitter, Zelenskyy tweeted,
Paris. With each visit, Ukraine's defense and offensive capabilities are expanding. The ties with Europe are getting stronger, and the pressure on Russia is growing. I will have a meeting with my friend Emanuel and we will talk through the most important points of bilateral…
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 14, 2023
Macron reaffirmed that France will continue to provide political, financial, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine for as long as necessary. Besides, more modern defence systems would be made available to Ukraine.
Prior to this, Zelenskyy had visited Germany where he met the Chancellor of Germany – Olaf Scholz. Germany has announced plans to provide a U.S. $ 3 billion military package to strengthen the country’s defence. This is Germany’s largest pledge in military aid since the start of the war.
The German Ministry of Defence said in a statement that the package may include a variety of military hardware, including armoured personnel carriers, 30 Leopard tanks, reconnaissance drones and ammunition.
Olaf Scholz tweeted,
We will not let up our support: Germany is providing a new military support package totalling 2.7 billion euro – including further Leopard 1 battle tanks, Marder infantry combat vehicles and IRIS-T systems. #Ukraine
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) May 15, 2023
Thanking Germany, Zelenskyy tweeted,
I thank Germany for the largest military aid package since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 14, 2023
German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory.
Germany is a reliable ally!…
The development comes after the United States (U.S.) last week announced a U.S. $ 1.2 billion aid package to Ukraine intended to bolster its air defences and sustain its artillery ammunition needs, with Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces looming.
