No “red line” in support for Ukraine, assures French Foreign Minister

While traveling across the Channel, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke with his British counterpart and responded (new window) to questions from the BBC. An interview during which the government representative indicated that there was no “red lines” in terms of support for Ukraine.

French missiles to target Russia?

During this exchange, Jean-Noël Barrot explained that Ukraine could fire long-range French missiles at Russia “in a logic of self-defense”. On the other hand, he did not confirm whether French weapons had already been used. “The principle has been laid down… our messages to President Zelensky have been well received”he slipped.

This is a position “significant”notes the BBC, recalling in the process that President Macron “indicated earlier this year that France was ready to authorize the firing of missiles towards Russia”. The words of the head of diplomacy, however, take on a fairly strong meaning in the current context, “days after US and British long-range missiles were used in this way for the first time”.

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Jean-Noël Barrot believes that Western allies should not set limits on support for Ukraine against Russia and “do not fix and express red lines”. Could this support lead to the sending of French troops into combat? “We are not ruling out any option”he replied.

“We will support Ukraine as intensely and as long as necessary”continued the minister. “Because it is our security that is at stake. Every time the Russian army advances one square kilometer, the threat moves one square kilometer closer to Europe”he declared.

During the same interview, Jean-Noël Barrot suggested that it would be possible to invite Ukraine to join NATO, as President Zelensky has requested. “We are open to an invitation, and so in our discussions with our friends and allies, as well as with the friends and allies of Ukraine, we are working to bring them closer to our positions.”