Associated Press: France’s victorious Macron boosts weapons, stakes in Ukraine

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PARIS (AP) — When Vladimir Putin congratulated Emmanuel Macron on his re-election as France’s president and wished him “success in your activities,” the Russian leader probably was being more polite than sincere.

© Provided by Associated Press FILE – A Ukrainian serviceman walks next to a fighting vehicle, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, April 2, 2022. As he begins a second term as France’s president, Emmanuel Macron has given the green light for the delivery of artillery pieces to Ukraine. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)

As he embarks on a second term, with the intention of keeping France at the forefront of international efforts to force Putin to change course in Ukraine, Macron has given a green light for the delivery of modern artillery pieces to Kyiv that could help stem Russia’s new offensive in the east of the country.

© Provided by Associated Press FILE – French President Emmanuel Macron, left, winks as he shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after a joint news conference following their talks in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. As he begins a second term as France’s president, Emmanuel Macron has given the green light for the delivery of artillery pieces to Ukraine. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)

Firing six rounds per minute over 40 kilometers (25 miles) or more, the truck-mounted Caesar cannons will allow Ukrainian crews to pound Russian troops from afar, then move and pound them again. Used to great effect against Islamic State forces in Iraq and in other conflicts, they represent a step up in France’s assistance to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government.

France’s victorious Macron boosts weapons, stakes in Ukraine (msn.com)