The United States has given Ukraine the green light to use long-range missiles against Russia. For its part, France is procrastinating. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, assured this Monday, November 18 that the use of French missiles by Ukrainian forces on Russian soil remained “an option”.
France reserves the right to authorize the Ukrainian army to use these missiles depending on the circumstances and military objectives. Scalp cruise missiles have already been delivered by Paris, but have so far only been used to strike Russian targets in the occupied parts, including annexed Crimea.
It is also about maintaining vagueness to maintain a certain pressure on Moscow while avoiding escalation. Emmanuel Macron reiterated that Ukraine must be able to defend itself by striking military targets in Russia. It is unknown if this is already the case and it is in any case classified information. These long-range missiles are highly sophisticated tactical missiles. The American model called ATACMS (Army TACtical Missile System) is equipped with a guidance device. He can hit a target 300 km away with an accuracy of 10 to 50 meters. Once launched, these missiles travel at a speed close to the speed of sound. It is therefore difficult, if not impossible, to intercept them.
An upheaval in the conflict in Ukraine?
The use of these missiles allows Ukraine to strike the Russian army deep within its territory. For example, airfields, storage or refueling sites. Initially, the objective could be to repelling Moscow's counterattack in Russia's Kursk regionconquered by kyiv this summer. It is not a question of reversing the balance of power, but of limiting losses as much as possible, so that Ukraine is in a better position in the event of negotiations with Russia.
This green light from the United States also has strong symbolic significance. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says the move is “likely to add fuel to the fire and changes US involvement in the conflict“Words are important. Last September, Russian President Vladimir Putin considered that this would represent an escalation and would mean that NATO countries would be at war with Russia.
The US decision comes as Germany resumed talks with Moscow last weekend. European countries do not all agree on what action to take. Germany, for example, although the second largest supplier of military aid to Ukraine, has always been reluctant to provide its long-range missiles, fearing open war with Russia. But the position of the United Kingdom, France, Poland, the Baltics, the majority of EU countries is that everything that can help Ukrainians must be done. The priority remains to retain as many strategic assets as possible before US President Donald Trump takes office, who could push for negotiations.
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