ISTANBUL

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday that they will deliver additional Aster missiles and Mirage-2000 fighter jets to Ukraine in the following days.

"We will deliver, in the days to come, additional Aster missiles, new training programs and new Mirage," Macron said while joining the Coalition of the Willing meeting remotely.

He reiterated the need to step up military support to Ukraine with air defense and long-range capabilities, drones and anti-drone systems while also supporting Ukraine's energy resilience.

Macron also noted that they have to increase their pressure on Russia, describing the recent US sanctions as a "turning point" and "perfectly synchronized" with the EU's 19th sanctions package.

"We must now work on the 20th package to continue to raise the cost for Moscow and engage with all our colleagues, which sometimes help to circumvent these sanctions, and clearly follow very carefully, oil and gas as the key points to be sanctioned," he added.

Macron further reaffirmed their plans to deploy a multinational force to Ukraine once the war is ceased, "with a view to help secure Ukraine skies and seas and regenerate Ukraine's armed forces with the support and input of 25 participating countries."

On Thursday, the EU passed its 19th and latest package of sanctions on Moscow. The US Treasury Department also announced Wednesday that it imposed new sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil.