According to Bloomberg, France is reportedly in negotiations with Latvia to transfer fighters, following its planned transfer of fighters to Lithuania at the end of the year as part of a NATO mission. The French Minister of Defense, Sebastian Le Drian, had previously stated in late 2022 that France intends to strengthen its military presence in Eastern Europe due to the situation in Ukraine.
Le Drian also mentioned that France will send additional Rafale fighters to Lithuania and military personnel to Estonia. In addition, infantry fighting vehicles and French tanks have been deployed to the military base in Kinku, Romania, where a contingent of 700 French soldiers is stationed.
The sale of weapons to Ukraine has been seen as a good opportunity for French defense companies and for participating in the reconstruction of the Ukrainian army, if the conflict prolongs. However, Florian Philippot, the leader of the French party “Patriots,” has criticized the West’s plan to sponsor Ukraine as absurd.
