Two years after the start of the Russian offensive, Emmanuel Macron will organize an international rally in support of Ukraine with leaders of other countries, Monday February 26 in Paris, according to announcements from the French presidency this Thursday.
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A symbolic interview, two years after the outbreak of war in Ukraine. The French president will meet next Monday “ several heads of state and government or their ministerial representatives ” in order to ” to study the means available to strengthen cooperation of partners in support of Ukraine », indicated this Thursday the Élysée, without further details.
Polish President Andrzej Duda had already announced on the Polsat channel that his French counterpart had invited “ a host of European leaders in Paris to discuss new proposals for solutions and assistance for Ukraine » and that he would go there.
While February 24 will mark the second anniversary of the start of the large-scale attack of Ukraine by Russia, kyiv finds itself in a position “ extremely difficult » on the front, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recognized on Monday. The Ukrainian army faces to multiple Russian assaults that it is all the more difficult to push back as it suffers from a shortage of ammunition and freezing American aid, blocked by President Joe Biden’s Republican rivals in Congress. The Ukrainian president therefore seems to have to rely more than ever on his European allies.
“ Collective burst » European
In this context, Emmanuel Macron called on Europeans to “ collective burst » during the signing of a bilateral security agreement with President Zelensky on February 16 in Paris. That day, in Berlin then in Paris, the Ukrainian president has in fact signed security pacts. With the same objective: to strengthen the support of European countries at a time when its army is struggling to contain Russia’s assaults. Particularly after the setback suffered by the Ukrainian army at Avdïivkaa city that fell into the hands of the Russians after months of fierce struggle, and the first major victory for Moscow’s forces since the capture of Bakhmut in May 2023.
Concretely, Emmanuel Macron is committed to providing this year “ up to three billion euros » military aid additional » to Ukraine, also informing of his intention to go “ before mid-March ” in Ukraine. On the German side, the document signed on February 16 contains additional and immediate military aid worth 1.1 billion euros to kyiv. The agreement provides for close military cooperation, help in the field of cybersecurity, the continuation of sanctions against Moscow and the promise of helping to rebuild the country.
Read alsoFrance-Ukraine bilateral security agreement: “It is economic, military and European integration aid”
(And with AFP)