Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will deliver a speech to the National Assembly this Friday, June 7. Before meeting with Emmanuel Macron to determine “Ukraine’s needs” and concluding two aid agreements for an amount of 650 million euros.
After attending the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Landings of June 6, 1944 in Normandy, Volodymyr Zelensky will deliver a speech this Friday, June 7, in the hemicycle of the National Assembly and will address the French deputies. A welcome speech will be made at 9:45 a.m. by the President of the National Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet, before the Ukrainian President speaks around 9:50 a.m. for around twenty minutes.
“Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the National Assembly has stood by the Ukrainian people. On March 23, 2022, less than a month after the invasion, President Zelensky addressed French deputies by videoconference. On January 31, 2023, Ruslan Stefanchuk, President of the Ukrainian RADA, also spoke to the national representation (…) In line with its mobilization so far, the National Assembly will welcome the President of the Republic of Ukraine, Mr. Volodymyr ZELENSKY, for a speech in the hemicycle on Friday June 7 at 9:45 a.m.” indicates the National Assembly in a press release.
Two agreements, 650 million euros in loans and donations to kyiv
Volodymyr Zelensky will then be received by Emmanuel Macron this Friday to discuss “Ukraine’s needs” vis-à-vis Russia, the French presidency announced on Tuesday. The opportunity “to reaffirm France’s determination to continue to provide, over the long term and with all of its partners, unfailing support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people” specifies the Elysée. The President of the Republic is expected to make new announcements on the occasion of the visit of his Ukrainian counterpart to Paris. The sending of French soldiers and military instructors to Ukraine is not excluded.
“At the end of the afternoon”, the two men are expected to sign two agreements at the Elysée, with 650 million euros in loans and donations to Ukraine, particularly for the energy sectors. , transport, water, health and agriculture. “As Russian strikes continue to intensify on the front and on energy infrastructure, the two presidents will discuss the situation on the ground as well as Ukraine’s needs”, in the “extension of the Support Conference for “Ukraine which was held at the Elysée on February 26”, indicates the Palace press release. The first agreement should make it possible to provide the French Development Agency with “provisional funds of 400 million euros in loans and 50 million of donations until 2027” to expand its activities in Ukraine. The second will be intended for the establishment of a “support fund” for critical infrastructures, to accompany and support projects involving companies with a French share in Ukraine (200 million euros).
Fighter planes, training… Macron announces “new cooperation” with Ukraine
During the 8 p.m. news on TF1 and France 2, this Thursday, Emmanuel Macron announced a “new cooperation” with Ukraine and the sale of Mirage 2,000-5 fighter planes “for the year”. “The Mirage 2000-5 will allow Ukraine to protect its soil and its airspace” explained the President of the Republic. A training program for Ukrainian pilots will also be set up by Paris. They will be trained “from this summer” on French territory. According to the head of state, it takes between five and six laws to master the handling of this combat aircraft. However, Emmanuel Macron indicated that he could not be “definitive” on the number of planes that will be made available to kyiv. “We are in the process of building a coalition with other partners” we could hear. “We propose to train 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers,” he also noted.