Macron: Multinational force is ready to act

Following the Coalition of Volunteers Leaders' Summit on Ukraine held in the French capital, Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a joint press conference. Speaking at the press conference, French President Macron said that time is not on Russia's side in the war in Ukraine and that they are determined to strengthen cooperation among allies to achieve a lasting peace. Stating that the support provided to Ukraine will continue to be stronger and faster, Macron said, "With this understanding, I reached an agreement with President Zelenskyy this afternoon on a roadmap between the two countries."

Macron said, "In the field of air defense, Ukraine will purchase the first batch of new-generation SAMP/T batteries. These will be delivered along with their missiles in the coming weeks. On the other hand, there is a project for the purchase of 16 Rafale aircraft, along with their accompanying weapon systems, as part of the modernization of Ukraine's fighter jets. The first aircraft are planned to be in the Ukrainian skies in 2028-2029. Training activities will begin in the coming months."

Announcing that radar systems and additional missiles will also be transferred to Ukraine, Macron declared that France will grant licensed production permission to Ukraine for the first time. Stating that the licensed production covers AASM precision-guided air-to-ground bombs, Aster air defense interceptor missiles, and long-range air-launched SCALP cruise missiles, which are also produced by the UK, Macron said, "We have also reached an agreement on the production of new capabilities such as AASM, Aster 30, and SCALP under license. Thanks to this, these systems will be able to be produced very quickly on Ukrainian soil together with our Ukrainian friends."

"Some other countries have also decided to make similar license agreements"

Macron's statements came shortly after US President Donald Trump gave the green light for the licensed production of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense system batteries in Ukraine. Addressing this issue in his statement, Macron said, "We have made a decision in the same direction for the Aster missiles used in the SAMP/T systems that we developed together with Italy. Some other countries have also decided to make similar license agreements."

Macron also said that European countries will combine their strengths and expertise to develop new capabilities and that this will be the goal of the announced FREYJA project. Referring to the "Ballistic Missile Defense Coalition" initiative established with the participation of 10 European countries, including Ukraine, Macron said, "The project will ensure the emergence of a joint solution and accelerate the protection of Ukraine in this field."

"Multinational force is ready to act"

Touching upon the security guarantees that the Coalition of Volunteers will provide in Ukraine after peace is achieved, Macron said that the Support for Ukraine Mission will be deployed entirely for defensive purposes at sea, in the air, and on land after a ceasefire is reached. Macron said, "This force will in no way be a mechanism that monitors the ceasefire. On the contrary, it will demonstrate our determination to ensure that the end of the conflict is irreversible."

Stating that the measures to prevent Russia from attacking again will also be of a military, political, and economic nature, and that all these guarantees are for defensive purposes only and will not escalate tensions, Macron said, "The multinational force created by the coalition for Ukraine is ready to act."

"Exercises will be carried out in countries neighboring Ukraine"

Macron said, "Today, in this context, we have also made a decision regarding the exercises to be carried out in the coming months. These plans were officially presented to us recently. The exercises will be carried out in countries neighboring Ukraine. The goal is to verify our deployment plans and to show that we are ready, determined, and reliable on land, in the air, and at sea."

"Production is increasing but the number is still not enough"

Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine needs interceptor missiles for ballistic missile defense systems almost every day. Zelenskyy said, "The challenges faced by American systems are obvious. Production is increasing, but the number is still not enough."

Stating that they have launched a program called FREYJA to develop systems and interceptor missiles that can be mass-produced against ballistic missiles, and that they held the founding meeting of the Ballistic Missile Defense Coalition today, Zelenskyy said, "Within the next 12 months, we can develop a system that can be mass-produced together, is low-cost, and will close Europe's ballistic missile defense gap."

UK joins EU's 90 billion euro loan program

At the press conference, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK has joined the EU's 90 billion euro loan program for Ukraine. Starmer said, "Thus, Ukraine will be able to continue to receive the military capabilities it needs. This decision also paves the way for Ukraine to benefit more from the UK's defense capacity, especially in missile systems."

Stating that the decision shows that Europe is acting together, Starmer expressed that he has no doubt that the new prime minister will continue the support for Ukraine after he leaves office.

"The war has entered a new phase"

German Chancellor Merz said, "The war that Russia is waging against Ukraine, and therefore against Europe, has entered a new phase. The diplomatic developments in recent weeks clearly demonstrate this."

Stating that support for Ukraine must continue, Merz said that today's meeting is important in terms of showing Europe's defense capacity and that Europe can act in unity.