Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in search of increased support before the announced counter-offensive of his army, obtained a renewed commitment from France, in particular in the field of light armour, during a dinner with Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee.
This meeting marks continuity in France’s military support for Ukraine, the question of the delivery of combat aircraft remaining “premature” in the eyes of Paris. “In the coming weeks, France will train and equip several battalions with dozens of armored vehicles and light tanks, including AMX-10 RC”is it specified in a joint declaration published at the end of the dinner.
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War in Ukraine: in Bakhmout, the carnage continues
France had undertaken at the beginning of 2023 to cede AMX-10 RC to Ukraine, often used in reconnaissance missions. Some examples of these vehicles have already been present on the battlefield since the beginning of spring. But the number of copies promised by France has never been disclosed.
“Links with Europe are getting stronger”
The announcements made on Sunday May 14 are new, noted an adviser from the Elysée, without further details. Paris is also concentrating its “Efforts on supporting the air defense capabilities of Ukraine” in order to protect civilian populations from Russian bombardments.
The two leaders also reviewed the military situation and the “security guarantees” to bring to Ukraine, once the conditions for peace negotiations have been met.
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Volodymyr Zelensky was stopping in Paris after going to Rome on Friday, where he met Pope Francis, then to Berlin and Aachen over the weekend. As soon as he landed on the Villacoublay military base, west of the capital, the Ukrainian president was welcomed by Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée. Brief hug, a few words of welcome to the sound of the Republican Guard and the two men rushed into the presidential palace for three hours of exchange, including one-on-one.
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“With each visit, Ukraine’s defensive and offensive capabilities expand. Ties with Europe are getting stronger, and the pressure on Russia is intensifying”, had not failed to tweet Volodymyr Zelensky when his plane touched down on French soil. This is the second visit to the Elysee Palace by the Ukrainian head of state since the Russian offensive against his country in February 2022. He had already come there on February 8 alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Better relations with Berlin
During this mini-European tour, the Ukrainian president received a prize in Germany honoring his contribution to the unity of the continent and will continue his consultations in Paris with a view to preparing a counter-offensive against Russia.
Volodymyr Zelensky’s German step, the first since the start of the Russian invasion, marked a clear warming of relations between Berlin and Kiev, a time strained by the Chancellor’s procrastination in delivering the weapons demanded by Ukraine.
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“We will support you as long as necessary”, assured Olaf Scholz, stressing that the commitment of Berlin, including armament, so far amounted to 17 billion euros. Is the most important allied contribution after the United States, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.
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Volodymyr Zelensky is mobilizing his support in Europe as his army prepares a counter-offensive in the east of the country against Russian forces. But in Berlin as in Paris, his request for combat aircraft has at this stage remained in vain.
For the expected offensive of the Ukrainian army, “the issue of combat aircraft is a priority for Ukraine (…). We need F-16s”modern combat aircraft, to defend the Ukrainian skies, insisted on Sunday the chief of staff of President Volodymyr Zelensky, Andrei Yermak.
“premature” question
“The question is a bit premature”, reiterated an adviser to President Macron, recalling that it was first necessary to train pilots, a long and complex process. The Ukrainian president’s diplomatic tour comes ahead of a summit of Council of Europe leaders in Reykjavik and a meeting of G7 leaders in Japan next week.
France said on Sunday that it would support new sanctions against Russia, as well as the continued strengthening of Kiev’s ties with NATO and the European Union.
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Ukraine claimed to have resumed “more than 10 positions” Russians in the suburb of Bakhmout (east), epicenter of the fighting for several months. Moscow ensures for its part to continue its progress in the city already mainly under its control and today largely devastated.
And the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed on Sunday that it had ” hit “ in Ternopil (west) and Petropavlivka (center-east) in Ukraine, sites housing in particular Western weapons delivered to kyiv.
