War in Ukraine: why is the Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu going to kyiv?


Clément Bargain, edited by Yanis Darras

Almost a year after the start of the war in Ukraine, the Minister for the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu is expected in kyiv on Wednesday. After a tribute to the victims of the war, the Minister will meet his Ukrainian counterpart. Objective of this meeting: to show that France continues to support Ukraine in the war, and is ready to continue to supply arms.

Nearly 10 months after the start of the war in Ukraine, Sébastien Lecornu finally goes to the country. The Minister of the Armed Forces is particularly expected in kyiv, while the Ukrainian government is constantly calling on the West to give them additional weapons. For his first steps in Ukraine, the Minister will pay tribute to the victims of war, with a wreath laying at the Heroes’ monument in kyiv. Sébastien Lecornu will then meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov.

Objective: to demonstrate France’s continued support. Announcements could be made on new deliveries of weapons, in particular “more artillery, I am thinking in particular of new CAESAR batteries, this long-range artillery which exceeds 40 kilometers”, explains to the microphone of Europe 1 the doctor in geopolitics and lecturer at Sciences Po Paris, Frédéric Encel.

Already 18 CAESAR guns delivered

“We could possibly expect the delivery of Leclerc tanks, even if it is a very sensitive point in Russia. The Kremlin has already said several times that it considers these tanks as offensive weapons. So obviously, like no one does not want to enter into co-belligerence with Moscow, and rightly so, it is a very sensitive subject. But we can consider it, “said the doctor in geopolitics.

Since the start of the conflict, France has notably supplied Ukraine with 18 CAESAR guns, anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles. Emmanuel Macron himself announced a few days ago that France would continue its arms deliveries in early 2023.



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