France has no “red lines” in support of Ukraine – Foreign Minister Barrot

Paris does not intend to set any “red lines” in support of Ukraine, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in an interview with the BBC.

The minister noted that Ukraine could strike russia with French long-range missiles “in the logic of self-defense,” but did not confirm whether French weapons had already been used.

“The principle has been established, our messages to President Zelensky were well accepted,” he said in an interview.

Earlier this year, French President Emmanuel Macron said France was ready to allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to launch French SCALP missiles at russia.

Barrot’s comments came days after American and British long-range missiles were used for the first time to strike russia.

Barrot, who held talks with Foreign Secretary David Lemmy in London on Friday, said Western allies should not set any limits on support for Ukraine in its fight against russia, and should not “set red lines.”

Asked if that could mean French troops taking part in the fighting, he said: “We are not ruling out any option.”

“We will support Ukraine as intensively and as long as necessary. Why? Because our security is at stake. Every time the Russian army advances one square kilometer, the threat moves one square kilometer closer to Europe,” he said.

Barrot hinted at working on an invitation to Ukraine to join NATO, as requested by President Zelensky.

“We are open to extending an invitation, and so in our discussions with our friends and allies, and with Ukraine’s friends and allies, we are working to bring them closer to our positions,” Barrot said.

He suggested that Western countries would have to increase the amount they spend on defense, saying: “Of course we have to spend more if we want to do more and I think we have to meet these new challenges.”

According to the BBC, discussions in the British government are also focused on ensuring that money and military support for Ukraine is flowing.

“I would triple European financial aid to Ukraine and go after (frozen) Russian assets,” one source said.

“We need to work out what kind of military budget Ukraine needs to have to fight until 2025 and 2026 – it’s hard to ask the US taxpayer to foot all those bills.”

But with money tight and the government’s reluctance to even set a clear date for meeting its target of spending 2.5% of GDP on defense, there is little chance of a sudden infusion of extra billions into Ukraine, the BBC reports.

Background. Earlier, French Minister Delegate for Europe Benjamin Haddad reported that France is trying to convince NATO allies of the need to invite Ukraine to the alliance now.