PARIS (Reuters) -France will provide some 2 billion euros ($2.15 billion) of extra military aid to Ukraine, President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday, accusing Russia of reinterpreting and rewriting recent limited ceasefire deals.
“I can announce today 2 billion euros of extra military support to Ukraine,” Macron said alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Paris.
Macron added that anti-tank missiles, surface-to-air missiles, armoured vehicles and drones were part of the new military equipment to be provided to Kyiv. More Mirage fighter jets would also be provided.
The two leaders were speaking ahead of a summit of some 30 leaders on Thursday aimed at bolstering aid to Ukraine, discussing the limited ceasefires and a future European role to deter Russia from attacks once there is a negotiated deal.
“Ukraine gave its agreement to a ceasefire without conditions. We expect the same commitment from Russia,” Macron said, adding that it was too early to lift European sanctions on Russia.
“I see today that Russia’s will is to rewrite and reinterpret what was discussed and agreed by listing new conditions. Far from proving it wants peace, Russia continues each day to strike intensively Ukraine territory.”
($1 = 0.9297 euros)
(Reporting by John Irish and Dominique Vidalon; editing by Mark Heinrich and Franklin Paul)
