Contents tagged with France
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France's delivery of 67 Caesar howitzers bolsters Ukraine's defense amidst minimal losses
Ukraine has received 67 Caesar 155mm wheeled howitzers from France. This delivery is part of a large-scale military support effort from Western nations, aimed at countering Russian aggression, reports French newspaper Le Point.
According to French journalists, five of these howitzers have been destroyed, and just two have been damaged in the ongoing conflict.
The Caesar howitzer's high mobility hinders Russian forces from launching effective counter-battery fire. This capability allows …
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France set to deliver Mirage jets to Ukraine
France is preparing to supply Ukraine with between 12 to 20 Mirage 2000-5F jets, according to recent reports. Earlier this week, it was revealed that Kyiv is set to receive these French military aircraft in the first quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, Ukrainian pilots are undergoing training sessions in France. The French arsenal reportedly holds 37 Mirage jets, but Paris might release between 12 to 20 units to Ukraine, Avions reports.
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced that France …
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France, Germany and UK condemn Iranian missile delivery to Russia as 'direct threat to European security'
In a coordinated move, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have issued a joint statement condemning the shipment of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia. The trio denounced the transfers as a "direct threat to European security" and announced immediate measures, including the suspension of bilateral air service agreements with Tehran. They further indicated plans to continue sanctioning significant legal and physical entities and are working towards imposing …
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Swiss authorities freeze $1.5 Billion in assets linked to Putin’s oligarch Suleyman Kerimov
The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has frozen assets worth 1.3 billion Swiss francs (approximately $1.5 billion) associated with Russian billionaire and senator Suleyman Kerimov, reports Le Temps.
The preliminary asset freeze was imposed under allegations of money laundering and circumventing sanctions. The investigation kicked off last November following the U.S. sanctions against Kerimov's family members, including his wife, two daughters, son, and 28 of their companies. …
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France detains Russian national for espionage ahead of Paris 2024 Olympics
A 40-year-old Russian national has been taken into custody in Paris, the city's prosecution office announced on Tuesday, July 23. The man is suspected of engaging in "espionage on behalf of a foreign state with the intent to incite hostilities in France" . According to the Le Parisien newspaper, the Russian has been formally charged.
During a search of the suspect's apartment, authorities found "evidence suggesting he was preparing a pro-Russian operation designed to destabilize France during …
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Le Pen rejects Russian endorsement as interference in French elections
During an interview on TF1, French right-wing politician Marine Le Pen has condemned a recent tweet from the Russian Foreign Ministry as a provocation and an attempt at interference in France's internal affairs.
"The people of France are seeking a sovereign foreign policy that serves their national interests & a break from the dictate of Washington & Brussels.French officials won’t be able to ignore these profound shifts in the attitudes of the vast majority of citizens," reads the message …
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Macron pushes for coalition to train Ukrainian soldiers amidst German reluctance
French President Emmanuel Macron is planning to form a coalition of countries to send Western military instructors to Ukraine, reports Welt am Sonntag, citing diplomatic sources in Brussels. However, Germany remains on the sidelines of this initiative.
Last week, Chief of the General Staff of the French Armed Forces Thierry Burkhard sent a letter to the governments of the United States and several European countries inviting them to participate in a training mission in Ukraine as part of a …
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France to supply Ukraine with Mirage 2000 jets and train pilots, announces President Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will provide Ukraine with Mirage 2000 fighter jets, reports France24.
Macron noted that France would also take responsibility for training Ukrainian pilots to operate these aircraft. The training sessions will be held in France.
"Tomorrow, we will initiate a new cooperation programme and announce the delivery of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets — a fleet of French warplanes that will enable Ukraine to defend its land and airspace. Starting …
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France to send military instructors to Ukraine
France will send instructors to Ukraine to help train its military forces, said Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi. He announced that the necessary documents have already been signed, enabling the first French instructors to soon visit Ukrainian training centres.
Announcing the decision after a video call with French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, Syrskyi said: "I am pleased to welcome France's initiative to send instructors to Ukraine to train …
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Zelensky rejects Macron's Olympic truce proposal, citing security concerns for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has turned down French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal for an "Olympic truce" during the upcoming Paris Games. "We are against any truce that benefits the enemy," Zelensky told Agence France-Presse. He explained that while Ukraine is not opposed to peace and ending the war, Moscow would exploit the pause to move additional troops into Ukrainian territory and launch a renewed offensive with fresh forces. "Who can guarantee that Russia won't use this …