France and Germany will provide additional air defense equipment to Ukraine following the “massive” Russian airstrikes in recent days, the two key EU members said in a joint statement, AFP reported.

“France and Germany will provide additional air protection for Ukraine,” the statement said, released after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to France, organized by President Emmanuel Macron. “Despite intensive international diplomatic efforts, Russia shows no intention of ending its aggressive war against Ukraine.”

Russian missiles and drones struck residential buildings in Kyiv in the deadliest attack on the capital in months, killing at least 23 people, including four children, and injuring around 50.

The two countries added that France — the only nuclear power in the EU — and Germany will launch a “strategic dialogue” on nuclear deterrence in view of shared security challenges.

The goal is to develop a “common strategic culture” and further align security and defense objectives and strategies, they said. Nuclear deterrence remains a “core pillar” of NATO security. | BGNES