Europe 1 with AFP
modified to
7:42 p.m., April 30, 2022
More than two months after the start of the conflict in Ukraine, France has announced the sending of military equipment and humanitarian aid to the country, the Elysée announced on Saturday. Emmanuel Macron wants to “strengthen” France’s support for the country at war with Russia, especially during his second term.
France will “reinforce” the sending of military equipment to Ukraine as well as its humanitarian aid to this country, the Elysée announced on Saturday after a meeting between re-elected President Emmanuel Macron and his counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
While the Ukrainian President thanked him for “consignments of large-scale military equipment which contribute to the Ukrainian resistance”, the French Head of State “indicated that this support will continue to be reinforced, as well as the humanitarian assistance provided by France,” according to a statement. “The mission of French experts contributing to the collection of evidence to fight against impunity and to enable the work of international justice relating to crimes committed within the framework of Russian aggression, will be extended”, he added.
Restore “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine”
The United States, France, the Czech Republic and other allies have provided kyiv with hundreds of long-range artillery pieces to help it counter Moscow’s offensive in Donbass (east). Paris, for its part, sends its ultra-modern Caesar self-propelled guns. According to the Elysée on Saturday, French humanitarian aid to Ukraine represents at this stage “more than 615 tonnes of equipment sent including medical equipment, generators for hospitals, food aid, for accommodation, and emergency vehicles”.
Emmanuel Macron insisted on “his desire to work actively during his second term to restore the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, always maintaining close coordination with its European partners and allies”. He also mentioned “France’s readiness to contribute to an agreement providing security guarantees to Ukraine.”
Emmanuel Macron told Volodymyr Zelensky of his “concern” after the Russian bombardments Thursday in kyiv, as well as on “the unbearable situation in Mariupol, despite his repeated calls to the Russian president to respect international humanitarian law”.