Paris will deliver more equipment to kyiv thanks to the interests of frozen Russian assets

France “recovered” 300 million euros in interest from frozen Russian assets to purchase military equipment for Ukraine at the end of the year, including 12 new Caesar cannons, announced the Minister of the Armed Forces in an interview with the Tribune Sunday. “We are mobilizing the interests of frozen Russian assets to purchase military equipment for Ukraine”underlines Sébastien Lecornu. “France has recovered 300 million euros for this end of 2024 alone”he clarified.

This amount allowed “to order 12 new Caesar cannons which will be delivered to Ukraine, as well as 155 mm shells, Aster missiles, AASM guided bombs, firing points and Mistral missiles…”he added. Some 60 Caesar cannons have already been delivered to Ukraine and around 80 will be delivered by the end of 2024, the ministry reminded AFP.

The announcement of purchases of new equipment for kyiv comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hopes that the support of his allies will continue to stand against Russia. The two countries have been at war since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

“Russia will only respect the balance of power”

Volodymyr Zelensky presented his plan to his Western allies this week “for victory”supposed to put his country in a position of strength before any negotiation. “Certain aspects” why plan “are interesting and deserve to be worked on and documented”estimates the French Minister of the Armed Forces.

“Above all, this plan shows that Ukraine is preparing for possible negotiations. It’s up to us to help him sit down at the discussion table with a favorable balance of power”he said. “Because, obviously, Russia will only respect the balance of power”.

“We must have one question in mind: what security guarantees can we provide to Ukraine? There is of course NATO membership but also everything we can do to help Ukraine build a strong army, capable of discouraging Russia in the long term.he also opined.