France will continue to send weapons to Ukraine, a French diplomatic source said on Monday at a closed briefing for journalists, saying there was currently little prospect of near-term peace talks to resolve the conflict.
The diplomatic source at the off record briefing said that negotiations could not be ruled out and highlighted France’s constructive role in facilitating talks to send monitors to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently occupied by Russian forces, as evidence of the importance of dialogue.
The remarks come after French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that he wanted “Russia to be defeated in Ukraine”, but did not want “a total defeat of Russia, attacking Russia on its own soil”.
On Saturday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the Munich Security Conference that Nato must send weapons to give Ukraine a “decisive advantage on the battlefield”.
US President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday in a further sign of hardening resolve among Nato allies to continue supporting Ukraine.
The source said that continued Russian mobilisation of forces, continuing Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure and aggressive rhetoric showed that Moscow was currently not willing to discuss peace.
Subsequently, there was “no taboo” when it came to discussing different weapon systems that could be sent, but that deliveries would be tailored to Ukraine’s immediate needs.
On Sunday, President Vladimir Putin said military operations would continue, accusing the West of being disinterested in peace.
The French defence ministry said at the weekend that AMX-10 light tanks, pledged in January, could be in Ukraine as soon as this week. This meant that the donated vehicles would have one of the fastest turnaround times for any system being pledged and arriving in the combat theatre.
Asked by The National if France would consider sending Leclerc tanks, more powerful than the AMX-10, the source said France had been working on meeting Ukraine's immediate needs on the ground, which includes agile equipment on the front lines.
The Leclerc is considered by some defence analysts to be one of best tanks in the world, featuring armour that contains lightweight titanium and explosive plates to deflect shell impacts.
In addition to the fast moving, wheeled AMX-10, which also carries a powerful 105mm gun, France has sent the Caesar mobile artillery system.
The diplomatic source said the ministry and some defence analysts are concerned that sending too many systems could create logistical problems for Ukrainian forces.
“One of the criteria we've been considering when delivering equipment to Ukraine is the actual efficiency and the utility for Ukraine on the ground. And when it comes to having too much different equipment, it creates a lot of logistical problems for the Ukrainian forces. It also increases the training costs and difficulties for them.”
“So there's no taboo, we are considering everything. But so far the priority is more on the AMX and on the artillery and air defence systems,” the source said.
Ukraine has come under sustained attack in recent months from hundreds of Iran-made one way attack drones known as Shahed 136s and Nato countries, including France, have rushed to send air defence systems to protect vital civilian infrastructure.
In December, France sent Croatale air defence missile systems to Ukraine, joining the US and Germany who also sent ground to air missile defence systems last year. The US has sent advanced Patriot air defence systems as well as the Norway-US developed NASAMS system, while Germany has donated the IRIS-T air defence system.
8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21
- Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
- Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
- Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
- Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
- Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
- Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
- Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
- Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
Bio
Age: 25
Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah
Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
Favourite colour: White
Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai
Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.
First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.
ABU DHABI CARD
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions; Dh90,000; 2,200m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 1,400m
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden; Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh100,000; 1,600m
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh125,000; 1,600m
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1; Dh5,000,000; 1,600m
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: SimpliFi
Started: August 2021
Founder: Ali Sattar
Based: UAE
Industry: Finance, technology
Investors: 4DX, Rally Cap, Raed, Global Founders, Sukna and individuals
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
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The five pillars of Islam
