France Allows Ukraine to Strike Russia: “No Red Lines” in Defense Support

In an interview with BBC, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that Western allies should not impose “red lines” in their support for Ukraine, emphasizing France’s commitment to providing military aid as long as necessary.

Barrot confirmed that Ukraine could use French long-range missiles to target Russian territory, provided it is in self-defense. However, he refrained from confirming whether French weapons have already been used in such operations. “The principle has been set… our messages to President Zelenskyy have been well received,” Barrot remarked.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron indicated France’s readiness to allow its missiles to be deployed in Russia.

The French minister underscored that there should be no limitations on the assistance provided to Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. “We will support Ukraine as intensely and as long as necessary. Why? Because it is our security that is at stake,” he explained. “Each time the Russian army progresses by one square kilometer, the threat gets one square kilometer closer to Europe.”

Barrot also suggested that Western countries, including France, might need to increase defense spending to confront new security challenges. “Of course, we will have to spend more if we want to do more,” he said. “We have to face these new challenges.”

The foreign minister addressed Ukraine’s aspirations for NATO membership, which President Zelenskyy has repeatedly advocated. Barrot hinted at the possibility of extending an invitation to Ukraine, noting that France and its allies are working towards bringing Ukraine closer to NATO.

Earlier on November 20, a missile strike in Russia’s Kursk region targeted a command post in the village of Maryino, resulting in the deaths of 18 Russian servicemen and injuring 33 others, including three North Korean personnel.

The strike, carried out with British-French Storm Shadow missiles, also involved a Ukrainian MiG-29 equipped with an American GBU bomb. Among the wounded were officers from Russia’s Southern and Eastern Military Districts, and Lieutenant General Solodchuk was reportedly present at the site. A secondary explosion later in the evening injured 13 more servicemen.