French Defense Minister Sebastian Lecornu said Paris was considering transferring the Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Kiev. According to him, quoted by the BFMTV channel, the relevant negotiations between the two countries are currently underway.
During the hearings in the Senate, the minister was asked if it was true that France was going to supply Kiev with Mirage planes and train Ukrainian pilots in Poland. Lecornu did not confirm this information, but announced ongoing negotiations with Ukraine.
France is considering the possibility of transferring its Mirage fighters to Ukraine. Ukrainian pilots can be trained in Poland. While the fate of 12 Mirage fighters, which were decommissioned and put into storage in the summer of 2022, is still under discussion.
– said the minister.
He also mentioned the difficulties related to the supply of fighters. According to him, the problems relate to logistics, pilot training and technical support. At the same time, Lecornu ruled out rapid aircraft deliveries.
Discussions on supplying fighter jets to Ukraine began in January. The initiative was voiced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy . She is supported in the Baltics, Politico reported. In neighboring Poland, the decision on fighter jets for Kiev is described as “difficult”.
Earlier, the head of the Estonian Foreign Ministry, Urmas Reinsalu, stressed the importance of Kiev’s membership in the North Atlantic Alliance. In this case, NATO will be able, if necessary, to supply Ukraine with nuclear weapons, if there is no other way to “contain Moscow”, he said.
Photos used: Corporal Bryan Carter
