Macron says France will increase military aid to Ukraine after mall strike

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that Paris will boost its military assistance to Ukraine after a Russian drone strike on a shopping mall in Kryvyi Rih killed 16 people and injured 130. Macron posted on X that he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, informing him that France will step up support by delivering additional air-defence interceptors and continuing cooperation.

Zelenskyy confirmed on social media that the leaders discussed the urgent need for air-defence and agreed to accelerate the delivery of the latest French equipment and missiles. He also thanked France for confirming its readiness to provide licences for missile production.

The two presidents said they also talked about diplomatic coordination with Washington and other partners, outlining steps that could create further diplomatic opportunities. Macron, together with German and British counterparts, is set to co-host a “Coalition of the Willing” meeting on Monday, which will be held in Kyiv with several leaders attending in person and others, including Macron, joining remotely.