Ukrainian President Meets with Mayor of Le Havre
On May 26, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with Édouard Philippe, the mayor of the French city of Le Havre. Their discussions covered key issues including Ukraine’s path toward European Union membership, energy assistance, and defense cooperation. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine expects all negotiation clusters in the EU accession process to be opened.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy: 'We are especially grateful to our closest friends, and France is one of them. We have excellent relations with your president and your people. From the very start of this war, the French have shown they are on the right side of history.'
The meeting also addressed energy aid and defense collaboration. Priority areas were identified as:
- strengthening Ukraine’s air defense systems;
- developing a European anti-ballistic missile capability.
France expressed readiness to join a joint UK-German program for developing long-range missiles and hypersonic systems.
Separately, President Zelenskyy conferred honorary distinctions on four cities, granting them the status of 'Rescuer City.' These cities are:
- Budapest (Hungary);
- Gdańsk (Poland);
- Tallinn (Estonia);
- Saint-Germain-en-Laye (France).
Édouard Philippe: 'We are glad to help Ukrainian displaced persons and to support the Ukrainian people during this war. And we will continue to do so.'
This meeting between Ukraine’s president and the mayor of Le Havre underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation and France’s support during a difficult period for Ukraine. Amid ongoing war and international isolation, Ukraine’s active diplomacy—particularly in the areas of European integration and military aid—remains a top priority for ensuring national security and stability. France, as a key ally, plays a significant role in this process, which could shape the future of relations between European nations and Ukraine.
In addition to the discussions on defense and energy support, the meeting highlighted the ongoing efforts to bolster Ukraine's military capabilities. For a deeper insight into the specifics of these defense upgrades, including air defense enhancements and collaborative projects with European partners, you can read more about the recent talks between Zelenskyy and the Mayor of Le Havre.