Blinken discussed support for Ukraine during meeting with Macron
Antony Blinken and Emmanuel Macron (photo: state.gov)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his visit to France, held talks with President Emmanuel Macron. The two sides discussed a range of topics, including Russia's military aggression and assistance for Ukraine, according to the US Department of State.
As US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller explained, during their meeting in Paris, Macron and Blinken also addressed the issue of North Korean assistance to Russia, which continues its war against Ukraine.
In a statement, the State Department noted that on January 8, Blinken and Macron discussed our steadfast support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal aggression and concerns about PRC support for Russia's defense industrial base, which is sustaining the Kremlin’s war machine.
Additionally, the two sides discussed the situation in the Middle East, particularly the political processes in Syria following the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, and the need for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, where Israel continues its operation against Hamas militants.
According to Miller, US Secretary of State Blinken and French President Macron also talked about the importance of an inclusive transitional process in Syria that supports the rights of the Syrian people.
"They also discussed the need to conclude a ceasefire deal in Gaza that secures the release of all hostages without any further delay," the US Department of State conveyed.
The State Department added that Blinken and Macron committed to continuing cooperation on these critical issues.
Earlier, it was reported that in Paris, Blinken held a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. At a joint press conference, the US Secretary of State emphasized the importance of France's leadership in supporting Ukraine in the coming months.
Additionally, recently, French President Macron called on Ukraine to engage in realistic discussions regarding territorial issues. According to him, the US must help convince Russia to sit at the negotiation table, while Europeans will need to build security guarantees for Ukraine.
