France's Macron announces dozens of missiles and hundreds of bombs for Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans on Tuesday to deliver more longrange cruise missiles as well as bombs to Ukraine and warned that a Russian victory would undermine the world order We cannot let Russia win and we must not do that he said adding that he will travel to Ukraine next monthMacron was speaking at a wideranging news conference where he addressed an array of domestic and international issues for more than two hours He said France plans to deliver about 40 longrange missiles and several hundred bombs that our Ukrainian friends are waiting forMuch of the primetime news conference focused on domestic issues Macron laid out broad plans to strengthen and better prepare France for global crises saying the country has all the aces to succeedThe event was Macrons latest effort to reinvigorate his presidency after a series of bruising domestic battles notably about Frances retirement age and how to better control immigration and riots last year that swept hundreds of cities towns and villages after the fatal police shooting of a teenagerNow Macron is hoping to hit reset and make a fresh start in a year when France will be in the global spotlight as host of the Summer Olympics in Paris Last week Macron installed a new prime minister Frances youngest ever and new ministers also part of a renewed drive by Macron to infuse his leadership with renewed energyOn Tuesday night the new Prime Minister Gabriel Attal 34 and Cabinet members looked on seated together to one side as Macron held court in the presidential Elysee PalaceMacron took a sweeping and broad look at challenges facing France Against a bluewhiteandred background he took deep dives into daily life issues everything from the costs of health care and how much time children spend on screens to schooling and how to boost Frances birth rate The former banker displayed his grasp of detail as he spoke largely without notesThe first hour of his press conference was short of blockbuster announcements but rich in statements of intent Of his new government he said he expects it to show daring efficiency actionMacron has held few wideranging news conferences at the Elysee Palace and none in the evening The timing was meant to reach the broadest audience possible and the event was broadcast live on several national television channelsMacron immediately struck an upbeat and determined tone even as he cautioned that the world is changing wracked by wars and other crises I am convinced that we have all the aces to succeed he insisted He also expressed the belief that our children will live better tomorrow than we do todayIn his second and last presidential term Macron is weakened by not having a majority in parliament That sets him the challenge of trying to ensure that he remains relevant and doesnt become a lame duck The Constitution doesnt allow Macron to run for a third consecutive term in 2027Recent opinion polls have shown that top concerns among the French include rising prices struggling health and education systems and security issuesMacrons move to refresh the government comes after two major laws he had promised were adopted last year One pushed the retirement age from 62 to 64 The other on immigration is intended to strengthen Frances ability to deport foreigners who are considered undesirableThe contentious immigration bill has been criticised by some in opposition as too rightleaning and Macron himself had to argue it was not a victory for the farrightHis government still faces a major challenge With no majority in parliament it can only pass laws by bargaining with opposition lawmakers and using special constitutional powersThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever