Kyiv, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said France has agreed to accelerate the delivery of air defence equipment and missiles to Ukraine following a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Zelensky said he briefed Macron on recent Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory and stressed that strengthening air defence remained Ukraine’s most urgent requirement. Macron, he said, expressed readiness to help facilitate communication between Ukraine and other partner countries that possess missiles for the Patriot air defence system.
In a post on X, Zelensky said he and Macron spoke for nearly two hours about Ukraine’s air defence requirements, the recent strikes and broader diplomatic efforts.
“We also discussed French air defense capabilities. I briefed Emmanuel on the situation with the strikes. I’m grateful for the condolences over the lives lost,” Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian President said the two leaders also discussed diplomatic engagement with other partners and communication with the team of US President Donald Trump. They agreed on steps that could create additional diplomatic opportunities, he said.
Zelensky added that they discussed funding requirements for Ukraine’s defence this year and next year, as well as bilateral defence agreements that need to be accelerated.
Macron separately said he was shocked by the heavy civilian casualties caused by a strike on a shopping centre in Ukraine. He confirmed that France would increase support for Ukraine’s air defence capabilities, particularly through the provision of interceptor missiles.
Zelensky also said France would provide licences for the production of relevant missiles, although details of the planned production arrangements were not immediately provided.
According to Ukraine’s national news agency Ukrinform, Russian drone strikes hit a shopping centre and other facilities in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih on Friday, killing at least 16 people and injuring 130 others.
The latest commitments come as Ukraine continues to seek additional air defence systems and interceptor missiles to protect its cities and critical infrastructure from Russian aerial attacks.
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