Contents tagged with France
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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 …
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France to deliver refurbished SCALP missiles to Ukraine
In January, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France was going to supply additional SCALP missiles (the French name for the Storm Shadow missile) to Ukraine.
Prioritizing the supply of SCALP-EG long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, France remains mindful to maintain its strategic stockpile, with Macron announcing the delivery of 40 such missiles back in January, marking the second shipment of these French-British munitions. The logistics operation for the delivery has been …
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Macron seeks Olympic truce and supports neutral participation of Russian athletes in Paris Games
French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed hope that hostilities in Russia's war against Ukraine and other military conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and Sudan, will cease during the Paris Olympic Games. In an interview with French media on Monday, April 15, Macron stated his commitment to "do everything possible to obtain an Olympic truce" for the upcoming Summer Games.
"We want to work on an Olympic truce, and I think this is an opportunity for me to engage with many of our …
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French Foreign Minister dismisses further talks with Russia, citing misleading statements after defense chiefs' call
French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné has stated that he is no longer interested in "discussions with Russian officials" following recent contacts between the defense chiefs of France and Russia, according to France 24.
"Today, it is not in our interest to discuss with Russian officials, as the press releases they issue are false," the minister declared.
On April 3, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu had a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoygu, marking the first …
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Three French defence companies to set up weapon production in Ukraine
Some French defence companies are planning to set up weapon production in Ukraine to support Kyiv in its struggle against Russian aggression, according to French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
The Minister highlighted that three companies would forge partnerships with Ukrainian producers, especially in the unmanned aerial vehicles and ground vehicles sectors, to produce spare parts on Ukrainian soil, and possibly ammunition in the future.
Though the minister didn't specify all three …