Guarantees, artillery and air defense systems. Zelenskyy's talks with Macron
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron, Presidents of Ukraine and France (photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with French leader Emmanuel Macron. The parties discussed, among other things, the preparation of a security guarantee agreement.
According to the press service of the Presidential Office, the presidents discussed the situation at the front and Ukraine's defense needs, including drones, artillery systems and shells, electronic warfare, and air defense systems of various types, both portable and long-range.
In addition, Zelenskyy "highly appreciated" the launch of an artillery coalition by France and the United States. As part of this initiative, the French side will provide Ukraine with dozens of Caesar artillery systems and ammunition.
Zelenskyy and Macron also discussed the preparation of a bilateral document on security guarantees. According to the press service of the Presidential Office, Zelenskyy believes that the active preparation of bilateral security agreements by leading European countries demonstrates leadership, motivates Ukrainians, and sends powerful signals to Russia.
Relations between Ukraine and France
In early July 2023, the G7 countries approved a declaration promising to provide Ukraine with security guarantees. More than 30 countries, including France, have already joined it.
The UK was the first country to sign the agreement with Ukraine. On January 17, French President Macron said that Paris plans to sign a security agreement with Ukraine, as London did.
The French president also announced his intention to pay an official visit to Ukraine in February. During the visit, a bilateral agreement on security guarantees between the two countries is expected to be signed.
In addition, in January of this year, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the production and delivery of more than 70 Caesar artillery systems to Ukraine.
