Zelenskyy, Macron Discuss Strengthening Ukrainian Air Defence in 'Very Substantive' Talk
The presidents of Ukraine and France held a telephone conversation on Friday, 18 July. Among other things, they discussed the supply of missiles for SAMP/T systems and the financing of interceptor drones.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to their posts on social media.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the conversation with Emmanuel Macron was ‘very substantive’ and lasted about an hour.
According to him, they discussed the situation on the front lines and Ukraine's priority defence needs, including strengthening Ukraine's air defence, in particular the supply of missiles for SAMP/T systems and the financing of interceptor drones.
‘I am grateful to Emmanuel for his truly strategic vision and willingness to help with exactly what our soldiers need... We will prepare joint decisions with France and partners at the level of defence ministers and foreign ministers on new steps to protect the lives of our people from Russian attacks,’ Zelenskyy said.
He also revealed that France is ready to train a certain number of additional Ukrainian pilots on Mirage fighter jets.
In addition, further steps were discussed to implement the agreements reached at the last meeting of the ‘coalition of the determined.’
‘I also thanked France for its significant contribution to the implementation and promotion of the 18th package of EU sanctions,’ Zelenskyy said.
Macron, for his part, did not disclose the content of the conversation, but stressed that France understands the strategic importance of supporting Ukraine.
‘Now more than ever, it is necessary to remember that the security, freedom and future of Europe are closely linked to the fate of Ukraine,’ he said.
Macron recalled the last ‘coalition meeting’ of the determined with 30 leaders from different countries, which was attended by representatives of the United States for the first time.
‘Together, we are increasing pressure on Russia to achieve an unconditional ceasefire and start negotiations to ensure a reliable and lasting peace. I welcome the EU's adoption this morning of a new package of sanctions against Russia,’ the French president said.
Following the meeting on 10 July, the leaders of the so-called coalition of the willing agreed on plans to deploy forces in Ukraine and establish headquarters in Paris.
As The Gaze reported earlier, for the first time, US representatives participated in a high-level meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, a multinational initiative preparing to support Ukraine's long-term security following a potential ceasefire with Russia.