The establishment of an "anti-missile" coalition in the French capital Paris yesterday with the participation of Ukraine and nine European countries, which will counter Russian ballistic missiles, is among the leading topics for the Western media today. They also pay attention to the statement of President Emmanuel Macron that "France and Europe are ready to defend freedom and law with blood, if necessary", BTA reported.
The French newspaper "Le Monde" also examines the relations between Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who secured the purchase of 16 "Rafale" fighters, through the prism of today's July 14 - France's national holiday. Ukrainian servicemen are also expected to participate in the parade in Paris. In the context of the coalition, which is focused on air defense, the American newspaper "New York Times" writes that the war in Ukraine is entering its next phase: the battle for minds.
Great Britain
The coalition of the willing will build a common European missile defense program, notes the British newspaper "Guardian", taking into account the participation of Great Britain in the new anti-missile coalition. The countries in this format, which also include Ukraine, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands, aim to protect not only Ukraine but also Europe from the threat of Russian ballistic missiles, using Kiev's experience in the war that has been going on for more than four years, the newspaper emphasizes.
“Our goal is to build a common missile defense capability for Europe“, the 10 countries said in a joint statement yesterday in Paris, where the leaders of the European countries met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, points out "The Guardian".
"The Guardian" also does not miss the exercises of the Multinational Force for Ukraine announced by Macron, which will be deployed in the event of a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. "The goal is to demonstrate that we are ready, determined and reliable“ are the words of the French president, quoted by the British newspaper.
Zelensky arrived in Paris on Monday with the desire to accelerate joint actions with European countries to develop Ukraine's air defense before the winter, when Russia usually steps up its attacks to deprive Ukrainians of electricity, heating and water, notes the "Guardian", adding that the Ukrainian president has asked the leaders of several European countries to join in developing strategies to deter Russia's missile attacks. For its part, the coalition has recognized "the growing threat posed by ballistic missiles", which are more difficult to neutralize than cruise missiles or drones, the publication draws attention to.
Another British newspaper - "Independent", emphasizes the fact that Britain joined the coalition after declaring its participation in the EU loan to Ukraine worth 90 billion euros. The publication quotes the outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who says that the UK's accession to the European financial support for Kiev is "crucial".
The UK will provide "a fair and proportionate contribution to the costs arising from the loans, commensurate with the value of the contracts awarded to British companies", said a joint statement from London and Brussels, quoted by "The Independent". Starmer said that British companies will be able to participate in tenders for contracts financed by the EU loan to support Ukraine, the publication points out.
"I have always been adamant that the UK will be with Ukraine for as long as necessary" reads another statement by the head of the Labour government, which is referred to by "The Independent". "The loan agreement will help ensure that Ukraine gets the support it needs to defend itself from Russian aggression, while supporting British defense companies, increasing skilled jobs and strengthening our national security," Starmer said.
USA
The emphasis in the American newspaper "New York Times" is on Macron's words that Europe will defend itself "with blood if necessary", told more than 25 world leaders in Paris on the eve of today's national holiday. Senior politicians met to confirm plans for a multinational force from the Coalition of the Willing, which will be deployed after a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, to reinforce the Ukrainian army and stabilize the country.
"The message we send to the world is this: Yes, peace is our goal. Yes, we value freedom and the law. And yes, we are ready to fight to defend them, always and at the cost of our blood, if necessary" is the statement of the French president, quoted by "The New York Times".
At the same time, the American publication indicates in a headline that "the next phase in the war in Ukraine is the battle for minds". The Ukrainians, already innovators in drones, are turning their attention to psychological operations aimed at undermining Russian support for the war, write the authors of the article Carlotta Gall and Alexander Chubko.
Even while absorbed in the most technologically advanced drone war in the world, some of Ukraine's top military and civilian leaders found time to gather in Kiev to focus on what they see as the next crucial phase of the war - the battle of minds, writes "The New York Times" in the context of the formation of the anti-missile coalition.
The meeting in Kiev was organized by Maria Berlinska, revered in Ukraine as a major driver of the strategy for using drones in the war against Russia, says "The New York Times". As a volunteer intelligence officer in 2014, Berlinska urged commanders to use drones and founded Victory Drones, a nonprofit organization that has trained thousands of drone pilots and attracted investment to develop Ukraine's defense technology industry.
“Wars begin and end not in the trenches, but in people's heads. You are the experts. I want to talk and move this sector forward,“ Berlinska said at the meeting, as quoted by the "New York Times".
The first goal was to weaken public support in Russia for the war and reduce Moscow's capacity for general mobilization in the coming months. Berlinska's arguments were categorical, the "New York Times" notes. "Ukrainian drones are successful, but they alone will not win the war," she said.
At the same time, the American media - "Bloomberg", points out that as a result of the Ukrainian drone attacks, Russian oil refining productivity has reached its lowest level in 21 years. According to data from EA Analytics, as of the beginning of this month, Russia was refining an average of 3.91 million barrels of crude oil per day - the lowest level recorded since March 2005. This is more than 1.4 million barrels per day below the average level of the previous year, the data show.
The decline prompted Russia to ban the export of most diesel fuel until the end of July, after restrictions were previously imposed on the export of gasoline and kerosene. Based on public statements from both Ukraine and Russia, "Bloomberg" estimates that Ukrainian forces have carried out about 50 attacks on Russian fuel production facilities in the past 100 days, hitting at least 24 of Russia's 34 major oil refineries.
Ukrainian long-range drones are now capable of reaching targets more than 2,400 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Earlier this month, they struck Russia's largest oil refinery, located in the Omsk region. "Bloomberg" noted that the attack on the Omsk facility, which mainly serves the domestic market, has further hampered supplies to Russian consumers and, consequently, the military.
France
The French newspaper "Le Monde" notes that in Paris, Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the creation of a "missile defense coalition". Macron convened the leaders of the countries of the Coalition of the Willing and called on them to increase military support for Ukraine, especially in the field of air defense, the publication emphasizes.
Kiev plans to acquire 16 French "Rafale" fighter jets and air defense batteries, adds "Monde", quoting the French president.
Against this background, "Monde" commented that the relationship between Macron and Zelensky is unique, although sometimes marked by misunderstandings. "Ukrainian servicemen will march along the "Champs-z-Élysées" today, July 14, and the Ukrainian president will stand next to his French counterpart - a sign of Paris's support for Kiev and the close relations between the two heads of state. But these relations have not always been easy," writes "Le Monde".
Another French newspaper, "Le Figaro", notes that France and Ukraine have drawn up a joint "road map" with the agreement on the purchase by Kiev of 16 "Rafale" fighter jets and their weapons systems. "The first of these combat aircraft are expected to fly in Ukrainian airspace as early as 2028-2029", Macron announced, quoted by "Le Figaro".