Zelensky-Macron meeting in Paris: ‘We are grateful to Emmanuel Macron for his Support,’ says Zelensky

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting France and met the French President and the First Lady on Monday.

“France’s support holds special significance for Ukraine. And I am grateful to President Emmanuel Macron and his team for their attention to our people and their readiness to assist,” said Zelensky in his X post. “Today, our interaction was meaningful and important – first and foremost about the steps that bring us closer to a just peace. What is needed now is something that will truly change the course of the war, lead it to a just peace, to a real conclusion – exactly the kind we need. And it is important that all partners who can truly help – do so.”

Zelensky said that both countries’ engagement today was substantive and important which was focused on the steps that bring a just peace closer. 

“We deeply value the strength of our relations and France’s leadership. Together, we continue moving forward for the sake of security – for Ukraine and for Europe,” he said.

Zelensky also met the Chairman and CEO of the aerospace company Dassault Aviation, Éric Trappier, and viewed the company’s production facilities.

“We discussed promising areas of cooperation, opportunities for localization in our country, and the technical characteristics of military aircraft – primarily Rafale multirole fighter aircraft, which Ukraine will be able to acquire under the declaration signed on November 17 with President of France Emmanuel Macron,” the Ukraine President said. 

“When it comes to peace, everyone has a role to play. We will continue to move forward,” said the French President as he spoke at the meeting.

Zelensky announced that the Netherlands decided to provide its second package under the PURL initiative that enables the purchase of U.S. weapons. This includes highly effective air-defense systems and F-16 aircraft that save our people’s lives and intercept Russian missiles, as well as other weapons and equipment that are truly helpful. 

“The first Dutch package under PURL amounted to $500 million, and now there is an additional $250 million. We are stronger together,” said Zelensky.

And we greatly value the strength of our relations and France’s leadership. Together, we move forward for the sake of security, both for Ukraine and for Europe.

On Saturday, in a drone and missile attack in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, at least four people lost their lives.