The French president received Volodymyr Zelensky tonight at the Élysée Palace and assured that France will continue to support Ukraine, while the Ukrainian leader asked for more heavy weapons and aircraft.
Ukraine can count on France, Europe and their allies to win the war. Russia cannot and must not win this war. As long as it continues, we will have to continue, adapt and model the necessary military apparatus for Ukraine,” the French president said in a statement to journalists.
President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at a special terminal at Orly Airport around 9:50 pm on a commercial flight chartered by the British government. At the Élysée Palace, Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who were also waiting for him in Paris.
“At the moment we have very little time, we have to talk about the coming weeks and months and I ask for the necessary weapons for peace because we have to fight this war,” the Ukrainian president said, asking for “aircraft” and “heavy weapons” to continue the drive back from Moscow.
For his part, the German Chancellor recalled that a few days ago he agreed to arm Ukraine with Leopard tanks and that he is ready to continue doing so.
“Since the beginning of this horrific war, Europe and its partners have always been on the side of Ukraine. We have done it financially and with weapons, most recently with heavy tanks and we will continue to do so as long as it takes,” promised Olaf Scholz . .
Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky and Olaf Scholz will now dine at the Élysée Palace. According to an Élysée source, the dinner will only take place between the three leaders, while parallel dinners between the French, German and Ukrainian armies and the respective diplomatic delegations will take place at the same time.
This visit was surrounded by a large security apparatus, with the reinforcement of the number of police and soldiers patrolling the area around the Élysée Palace and also a large number of journalists of different nationalities who witnessed Zelensky’s arrival in Paris.
As for the topics discussed at the dinner, in addition to the “undeniable support” of France and Europe for Ukraine, the table of discussions includes the possible supply to Ukraine of Rafale aircraft, French-made fighter jets, a requirement of Kiev in view of its western partners.
This visit to the French capital comes after Zelensky’s lightning visit to the UK. Speaking in London today, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said “nothing is out of the question” regarding the supply of fighter jets to Ukraine, but underlined that the priority was to strengthen anti-aircraft and long-range missiles.
Volodymyr Zelensky will spend the night in Paris and may leave tomorrow morning for Brussels to join the leaders of the 27 at the European Council. According to a source at the Élysée, “there are several possibilities”, but the Ukrainian president should go to the Belgian capital together with Emmanuel Macron.
Source: DN
