Zelensky and Macron Hold Detailed Phone Talks
Air defense and Patriot missiles topped the agenda of a nearly two-hour phone call between Volodymyr Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron. The Ukrainian and French presidents agreed to accelerate the supply of French hardware and rockets, and Paris said it would give Kyiv licenses to manufacture missiles. The exchange comes as Ukrainian cities face continued Russian aerial attacks.
Zelensky briefed Macron on Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities, and Macron offered condolences for the loss of life. The Ukrainian leader said:
'I updated Emmanuel on the attacks and thank him for his sympathy over the casualties.'
The conversation's main threads included air defense, arms shipments, diplomatic coordination with allies, and Ukraine's defense financing. Zelensky stressed that Ukraine looks to Paris as an intermediary in negotiations with partners in possession of the needed interceptor missiles. He said:
'We very much appreciate the French President's willingness to assist in communication with other partners that have the necessary missiles for Patriots.'
The presidents also talked about the need to fund Ukraine's defense for this year and the next, and they identified bilateral defense agreements that should be expedited. Zelensky highlighted:
- Accelerated shipments of modern French gear and missiles were agreed upon.
- Zelensky thanked Macron for confirming France's readiness to grant missile production licenses.
The call marks a significant step in reinforcing Ukraine's military support and boosting the effectiveness of its defenses. France's deepening role as a strategic partner is becoming more evident amid the ongoing aggression, and coordinated defense efforts could prove crucial for regional stability.