Paris (AP) — When Vladimir Putin celebrates Emmanuel Macron His re-election as President of France And because he wanted to “success in your activity,” the Russian leader was probably more polite than honest.
Macron is a green light to deliver a modern cannon to Kieu as he embarks on a second phase with the aim of keeping France at the forefront of international efforts to force Putin to divert in Ukraine. Was issued. Russia’s new attack In the east of the country.
If you fire 6 shots per minute over 40 km (25 miles), Caesar cannon mounted on a truck The Ukrainian crew will be able to hit the Russian army from a distance, then move and hit again. Used to exert a great effect on the Islamic Armed Forces in Iraq and other conflicts, it represents a step up in France’s support for President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government.
Another notable move is that Macron speaks openly about guns and lifts a secret veil thrown at French military aid. Distribution and promotion together show a tougher line from Macron in dealing with Putin — less engaged in brinkmanship with the Kremlin.
“Initially, we were a little shy to show what was being offered,” said former General Dominique Trinkand, a former United Nations commander of the French Army. But “we escalate weekly and test the reaction.”
Macron His presidential reelection campaign When he namedropped the Caesar cannon in an interview on April 21st Newspaper West France.. He also mentioned Milan’s anti-tank missiles, but their supplies had already been reported.
Macron didn’t give a number. West France quoted an unidentified French source as saying that 12 Caesars had been withdrawn from the French arsenal and 40 Ukrainian artillery had arrived for training. Military base In southern France.
Macron said his “red line” would not be in direct conflict with Russia, but within its limits “we must provide maximum support to Ukrainians.”
“We provide inevitable equipment,” he said. “We need to go this way.”
His military minister Tweeted thousands of seashells It will also be part of the delivery. The cannons can be used independently of each other or together as a battery, said Sunil Nea, an analyst specializing in the artillery system of the defense publication Janes.
“It gives you firepower, there is no doubt about it,” he said. “It’s a question of how and where they use it.”
Before and after the Russian invasion on February 24, Macron maintained an open line with Putin..But Fear discovered by Ukrainian troops when they regained control of a village near Kieu Macron paused when Russian soldiers withdrew. His office said last week that the two leaders hadn’t spoken since March 29.
Macron states that he will eventually need to call again. Without talking to Putin, Chinese, Indian and Turkish leaders will always be able to lead peace talks.
“At some point we need to prepare for a ceasefire and Europe needs to be around the table,” Macron said last week.
Meanwhile, French weapons will do part of the story in the hope of increasing pressure on Putin.
François Heissbourg, a French analyst on the defense and security questions of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said:
Caesars allow their crew to go looking for Russian cannons used in eastern Ukraine that are indiscriminately attacking civilian targets.
“Americans, Poles, Slovaks, Belgians, French, and Canadians all send heavy guns to Ukrainians,” Heisbourg said.
“It’s a really, really big improvement to the situation in Ukraine in the new phase of the war.”
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Contributed by Associated Press writers Sylvie Corbet and Angela Charlton.
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