Zelensky held telephone talks with Macron regarding assistance to Ukraine, the grain corridor, and the security of the Odessa region.
Source: Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky spoke with Macron
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held telephone negotiations with French President Emmanuel Macron. Ukrainian President posted about this on his Facebook page. Zelensky mentioned that he and Macron discussed, among other things, defense packages for Ukraine.
“During the negotiations, it was also agreed that France and French companies would participate in the Defense Industries Forum. They separately discussed ensuring the operation of the ‘grain corridor’ and enhancing security in the Odessa region.” Zelensky and Macron agreed to initiate negotiations on bilateral security guarantees in the context of the G7 declaration.
“Especially thanked France for its leadership in implementing the Peace Formula. We discussed the Global Peace Summit, which should involve as many countries as possible, especially those located outside of Europe,” noted Zelensky.
France is assisting Ukraine
At the end of August, Macron met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba. During the meeting, they discussed further military support, the expansion of the ‘peace formula’ coalition, and Ukrainian grain exports to countries in Africa and beyond. Prior to this, the Ukrainian Ambassador to France, Vadym Omelchenko, announced further shipments of long-range SCALP missiles from Paris.
The President of Ukraine thanked France for its ongoing support in the war against Russia. During the NATO summit in Vilnius, Ukraine received assurances from French partners that in the near future, long-range SCALP missiles – equivalent to the British Storm Shadow – will be supplied to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Zelensky also announced additional engineering equipment from France for demining Ukrainian territories. This information became known following the meeting at the NATO summit with Emmanuel Macron.
“Meeting with President of France Emmanuel Macron. The main topic was defense. I informed him about the current situation on the battlefield. We discussed further defensive support. Once again, I expressed gratitude for every unit of weaponry, especially long-range weapons. Additional engineering equipment for demining will also be provided,” said Zelensky.
Over five thousand soldiers and officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have completed military training in France. By the end of 2023, there will be approximately 7,000 Ukrainians trained in this manner.