France will provide Ukraine with a defense package that includes artillery shells and Caesar howitzers, as well as reinforced air defense systems, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced at a press conference alongside French President Emmanuel Macron on Feb. 16.
“I am grateful to the president of France for all this strong military assistance we are receiving,” said Zelensky. “Today, another defense package. Just the one we need. These are shells for artillery, cannons, effective ‘Caesar’ systems, additional reinforcement of air defense.”
Withholding specific details on the package, Zelensky made the announcement alongside Macron as they concurrently signed a bilateral agreement on security cooperation, which will provide 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in military aid this year.
There is a certain air of “working class French shaking hands with bougie elite French” to the picture, agreed.