Emmanuel Macron received his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky at the Élysée Palace this Wednesday evening to « prepare » for tomorrow’s summit in Paris of the countries of the « coalition of the willing » ready to provide security guarantees to Ukraine.
The French President announced on this occasion the granting of additional military aid of two billion euros « in immediate support to Ukraine. » This support will primarily focus on military equipment.
This new package includes « Milan anti-tank missiles, » « air defense means such as Mica missiles » which equip the French Mirage fighter jets supplied to Ukraine, « Mistral surface-to-air defense missiles, » « VAB armored personnel carriers, » « AMX-10 RC tanks, » « numerous munitions, some of which are remotely operated, » and « drones. » « Equipment production in Ukraine, » « thanks to partnerships established with our defense companies, » is also planned. The two leaders also discussed « an increase in the number of Mirages » donated by France, as the Ukrainian president indicated.
As a reminder, in recent weeks, discussions for a possible ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine have accelerated. But while Kyiv has accepted Washington’s offer of a 30-day truce on land, sea, and in the air, the same cannot be said for Moscow, which Volodymyr Zelensky accuses of « playing for time. » This military equipment is therefore intended to continue helping the Ukrainian army resist, while waiting for common ground to be found between all parties.
The French president also called on Russia to accept a 30-day ceasefire without « preconditions. » He accused Moscow of having « shown its willingness to wage war » and of adding « new conditions » to the agreement reached through the United States for a truce in the Black Sea and a moratorium on strikes targeting energy sites.
Prior to this interview, the President of the Republic had invited his counterpart to a meeting on Wednesday to « prepare » for the peace and security summit scheduled for Thursday in Paris. This international meeting will aim to determine which countries would be prepared to send a military contingent to Ukraine in the event of a truce with Russia.
Referring to the forces that several European countries are considering deploying in Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement, Emmanuel Macron assured that he had a « pacifist approach. » These contingents would « not go to the front » to « go and fight, » he insisted.
Moscow and Washington agreed on a truce in the Black Sea at the end of these discussions, according to a statement released by the Kremlin.
Russia is therefore demanding the lifting of numerous sanctions, particularly those imposed on its major agricultural bank, Rosselkhozbank, which is targeted by the sixth « package » of sanctions imposed by the European Union on June 3, 2022, and which hinder the financing of its agricultural exports.
The leader was interviewed in Paris by journalists from several European media outlets as ceasefire negotiations are underway and on the eve of an international summit.
The Ukrainian president emphasized that « Ukraine, by defending itself, is defending Europe, » during an interview with European media broadcast on France 2. He also deplored the fact that the US envoy to Ukraine, Steve Witkoff, « quite often cites the Kremlin’s narrative. »
Volodymyr Zelensky also stated that, in his opinion, Vladimir Putin is « afraid of the unity of Europe and the United States, » which would push him « to weaken this union and separate them. » « I think to some extent he is succeeding, not entirely, thank God, but he has achieved some successes, » the head of state pointed out.
On Thursday morning, Emmanuel Macron is organizing a new summit on « peace and security for Ukraine, » following the meetings held in recent weeks in Paris and London to establish « security guarantees » for Kyiv as part of a possible future peace agreement with Russia. Thirty-one delegations will be present; a welcome expansion, according to the presidency. « In line with the initiative launched in Paris on February 17 and following the discussions initiated with our British partners, this new meeting will aim to identify operational options, in support of American efforts, to achieve a solid and lasting peace in Ukraine, while respecting the security interests of both Ukrainians and Europeans. This will include discussing the immediate strengthening of assistance to Ukraine, how a ceasefire can be implemented and extended, the modalities of long-term support for Ukraine and its army, and the necessary security guarantees for Ukraine, » according to the Élysée Palace.
The Ukrainian president’s last visit was in December 2024, when he was invited to the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. On the sidelines of this ceremony, he participated in a meeting with Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump. While relations between Volodymyr Zelensky and the American president have since become considerably strained, relations with France appear much more peaceful.
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