French president vows Paris’ ‘full support’ for Ukraine, help to ‘intercept drones’

French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France’s “full support” for Ukraine on Monday and said Paris would help Kyiv “intercept drones” following a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“I have just spoken with (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy to reiterate France’s solidarity and full support for Ukraine in defending itself against Russia’s war of aggression,” Macron said on US social media company X.

Macron said Russia was “obstinately” refusing calls for a ceasefire and had chosen to intensify strikes on infrastructure and civilian targets “in violation of the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.”

“France and Europe will continue to take responsibility to support Ukraine and seek every opportunity to spare civilians, reduce hostilities and advance the idea of a just and lasting peace,” he said.

Macron said he and Zelenskyy discussed “the concrete" support they can provide "to help Ukraine intercept drones and counter Russia’s aggression.”

“We will yield neither to Russia’s intimidation nor its escalation, which must not be mistaken: time is working against it,” he added.

Zelenskyy said that new defense deliveries to Ukraine were being prepared and that Ukrainian pilots would soon begin training in France on French Rafale aircraft.

“A good conversation with President Macron. Thank you for France’s full support,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X.

He said the two leaders discussed Russia’s “terrorist escalation” and Ukraine’s defense needs, adding that they had discussed the contents of a new defense package expected to arrive in Ukraine soon.

Zelenskyy also said Ukrainian teams were working on localizing production of French missiles and aerial bombs in Ukraine and were actively preparing the FREYJA system.