Macron pledges accelerated interceptor deliveries as Russian strikes kill 16 in Kryvyi Rih
French President Emmanuel Macron promised to accelerate the delivery of interceptor missiles to Ukraine following a call with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The pledge comes after a deadly Russian strike on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih killed 16 people, marking the highest civilian death toll since the war's early months. Macron expressed horror over the attack and confirmed France's commitment to the Anti-Missile Coalition, which aims to provide a cheaper European alternative to US Patriot systems. Zelenskyy thanked Macron for agreeing to license missile production in Kyiv and for facilitating diplomatic channels with other partners. The two leaders also discussed funding for defense and potential diplomatic steps with the US, though Washington's focus on Iran has stalled direct Kyiv-Moscow talks. A Coalition of the Willing meeting is scheduled for Monday to coordinate further pressure on Moscow.
