Macron has called an urgent meeting with the leaders of about 20 Western countries because of Ukraine. They will discuss, among other things, the possibility of purchasing shells from third countries. Reuters reports this with reference to a statement from Paris.
"We are not doomed or gloomy. We want Russia to understand this. Russia will have to rely on us all to put an end to this war and restore Ukraine's rights. We want to send a very clear message to Putin that he will not win in Ukraine. Our goal is to destroy this idea that he wants us to believe in," the French advisor said.
This is a reaction to "the escalation of Russian aggression over the past few weeks." In particular, he mentions Putin's flight on a bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which Europeans see as an attempt to intimidate them.
The conference will be attended by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and leaders of the Scandinavian and Baltic countries. The United States will be represented by Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Jim O'Brien, and Canada by Defense Minister Bill Blair. Zelensky will also speak at the meeting.
No new deliveries will be announced, but rather "an occasion to brainstorm ways to increase efficiency on the ground" and improve coordination between the allies and Ukraine.
In particular, they will discuss the purchase of hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition from third countries, which was previously blocked by France.
"We must be able to supply more shells. The principle is that shells will be purchased where they are available. There is no dogmatic (French) position," the advisor said.
