Breaking News
Zelensky prepares new aid package with French president.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on his Telegram account that he had a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, focused on bilateral defense cooperation and increased military support from France to Ukraine. This exchange comes at a crucial time, on the eve of the Ramstein format contact group meeting dedicated to international military aid for Ukraine.
French supplied AMX 10 RC serving with Ukrainian Infrantry brigade, AMX 10 RC are nicknamed "Wheeled sniper" in Ukraine(Picture source: Ukrainian telegram channels )
Zelenskyy extended his congratulations to Macron for the recent appointment of Prime Minister of France. During the call, the French president also expressed his condolences regarding the recent Russian strikes that have hit several Ukrainian cities, including Lviv and Poltava.
At the heart of this discussion was the continuation and expansion of Franco-Ukrainian defense cooperation. Zelenskyy announced that the two leaders discussed the preparation of a new military aid program from France. Among the points raised was the possibility of joint production of certain types of weapons, which could mark a new phase of industrial collaboration between the two nations.
The Ukrainian president took this opportunity to highlight the urgency of striking airfields from which Russian guided bomb and missile carriers take off. Zelenskyy called for allied unity on this issue, stressing the need to authorize Ukrainian forces to neutralize these strategic Russian installations.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also informed Emmanuel Macron of Ukraine's priority military needs in the ongoing war against Russia. These needs include air defense systems, electronic warfare equipment, armored vehicles, and artillery. The Ukrainian president emphasized the importance of meeting these needs to maintain the effectiveness of Ukraine's armed forces on the ground.
The two heads of state agreed to maintain regular contact in the future, particularly to ensure the implementation of the bilateral security agreement signed between their two countries. This agreement, along with the joint mechanism of the Ukraine Security Pact, aims to strengthen strategic cooperation and coordination between Kyiv and Paris in the face of the Russian threat.
As the war in Ukraine enters a critical phase, France’s military and diplomatic support continues to play a key role. The upcoming Ramstein format meeting is expected to further clarify the commitments of Western allies in support of Ukraine's resistance.