French Foreign Minister Affirms No Restrictions On His Country Supporting Ukraine Faced With Russia

Russian/Military Alexey Konovov/TASS

JAKARTA - French Foreign Ministers insist there are no restrictions in their country's support for Ukraine in dealing with Russia.

In an interview at the BBC, whose quotes have been published on the media website, Jean-Noel Barrot stated, Ukraine could use French long-range missiles to attack Russia "in the framework of logic to defend itself."

However, Barrot did not confirm whether French weapons had been used in the war that had been going on since February 2022.

"The principle is clear... our message to President Zelenskyy has been well received," said Barrot, quoted from Anadolu via Antara, Minffu, November 24.

According to him, Western allies should not restrict their support for Ukraine. When asked if the support included sending French troops to Ukraine, Barrot replied, "We did not rule out anything."

"We will support Ukraine as strong and as long as necessary. Why? Because our own security is at stake," he said.

"Every time a Russian soldier advances one square kilometer, the threat approaches Europe as far as one square kilometer," he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron in February this year refused to rule out the possibility of sending ground troops to Ukraine. "We will do everything we can to ensure Russia does not win."

Last week, Barrot said France could "consider" allowing Ukraine to strike Russia's targets using missiles.

The move comes under French consideration after the US President, who will soon leave office, Joe Biden, authorized the Ukrainian government to use US missiles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously warned that Moscow could attack military facilities of countries that allow their weapons to be used to hit targets within Russian territory.