France to speed up missile deliveries to Ukraine amid critical air defense shortage

France will speed up the delivery of missiles and other military equipment following a nearly two-hour-long phone call between President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron on Aug. 22.

Macron's pledge comes after a week of deadly Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilians.

"It is crucial to provide Ukraine with all the necessary means to defend its skies and thwart this aggression. I announced to President Zelensky the strengthening of our support, with the delivery of interceptors," Macron wrote on social media.

Macron also agreed to help Kyiv in its communications with international partners that possess Patriot air defense systems, according to Zelensky. The president has repeatedly said that Patriots are critical for protecting Ukrainian civilians from Russian ballistic missiles.

Zelensky also thanked Macron for confirming France's willingness to provide licenses allowing Ukraine to produce missiles. Last month, Paris granted a license to Ukraine to produce ASTER missiles for SAMP/T air defense systems and SCALP cruise missiles.

In addition to his call with Macron, Zelensky on Aug. 22 also discussed Kyiv's critical air defense needs in meetings with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and former U.S. envoy to Ukraine General Keith Kellogg, who are both currently visiting Ukraine.

"I informed the general about our work with Europeans to create an anti-ballistic system, but for getting through this winter, supplying interceptors for Patriot systems is essential," Zelensky wrote on Telegram after his meeting with Kellogg, who now works at the America First Policy Institute, a Washington think tank.

"Ukraine is ready to buy them, and any efforts in this direction are important."

After the meeting with Wadephul, Zelensky said both Germany and Ukraine were ready to officially sign a drone deal. Last month, both countries agreed to jointly produce high-speed BARS jet-powered drones, with Germany financing the production during the project's first phase.

Russia has been exploiting Ukraine's shortage of protection against ballistic missiles, hammering cities with intense, frequent bombardments. Recent attacks over the last few days killed 16 people at a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih on Aug. 21 and 15 people in Kyiv on Aug. 20.