FRENCH PRES. MACRON & ZELENSKY AGREED ON DELIVERING ARMORED & LIGHT TANKS TO KIV

USPA NEWS - French President Macron welcomed his counterpart the President of the Republic of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris this Sunday, May 14, 2023 for a working dinner at the Elysee Palace, which lasted more than four hours. President Zelensky was dressed in his usual military uniform, as a warlord, since Ukraine was attacked by Russia on February 24, 2022 and was welcomed by the French PM Elisabeth Borne alongside with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna at the private airport on the tarmac, with no protocol and without red carpet. The Ukrainian Head of State arrived on board a Falcon plane from the French Republic, in return for Germany where he had been received by the German President. He was also received by Chancellor Olaf Scholtz. who presented him with the Charlemagne Prize, a distinction rewarding a commitment to European unification, in Aix-la-Chapelle. "As long as necessary, France will continue to provide political, financial, humanitarian and military support to the Ukrainians."said President Macron, on his Facebook post.

President of the French Republic welcomed his counterpart the President of the Republic of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris this Sunday, May 14, 2023 for a working dinner at the Elysee Palace, which lasted more than four hours. President Zelensky was dressed in his usual military uniform, as a warlord, since Ukraine was attacked by Russia on February 24, 2022 and was welcomed by the French PM Elisabeth Borne alongside with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna at the private airport on the tarmac, with no protocol and without red carpet. The Ukrainian Head of State arrived on board a Falcon plane from the French Republic, in return for Germany where he had been received by the German President. He was also received by Chancellor Olaf Scholtz. who presented him with the Charlemagne Prize, a distinction rewarding a commitment to European unification, in Aix-la-Chapelle. "As long as necessary, France will continue to provide political, financial, humanitarian and military support to the Ukrainians. Thus, in the coming weeks, we will train and equip several Ukrainian battalions with dozens of armored vehicles and light tanks. In order to help it protect its population from Russian strikes, France is focusing its efforts on Ukraine's air defense capabilities," said President Macron, on his Facebook post. According to the Elysee (French Presidency), "This exchange will allow them to continue and deepen their dialogue of trust after their meeting on February 8 in Paris and their regular telephone exchanges since then. While the country continues to suffer from bombardments, in particular on civil infrastructures, the President of the Republic will reaffirm the unwavering support of France and Europe to restore Ukraine to its legitimate rights and defend its fundamental interests." The themes evoked concern "the longer-term prospects for the return of peace to Europe, in particular on the basis of the Peace Plan proposed by President Zelensky and to which France lends its support." Source Elysee

PRESIDENT ZELENSKY GETS ARMOR AND LIGHT TANKS WHEN HE HOPED FOR FIGHTER PLANES
According to the joint declaration of the two countries in the joint press release, France will equip several Ukrainian battalions with dozens of armored vehicles and light tanks, in response to the request of President Zelensky who came to France to better arm themselves against the enemy, which is Russia, while it demanded fighter jets... "In the coming weeks, France will train and equip several battalions with dozens of armored vehicles and light tanks, including AMX-10RCs", is it specified. Paris is also focusing its "efforts on supporting Ukraine's air defense capabilities," the text adds.

PRES MACRON & ZELENSKY CALL FOR NEW SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA The two French Monthly Heads of State Macron and Volodomyr Zelensky, expressed in the joint press release, following their working dinner today May 14, 2023, their willingness to call for the reinstatement of sanctions against Russia: "The "Ukraine and France agree on the need to increase our collective pressure on Russia through new sanctions in order to weaken the ability of this country to continue its war of illegal aggression ». The two heads of state agreed on the European Union perspective and « granting the statutes of a candidate country », «  France firmly supports Ukraine in its reform efforts and in its desire to fulfill the necessary conditions by the end of 2023. It awaits with interest the report of the European Commission to begin accession negotiations. Ukraine and France call on the European Union to continue to support the country in all areas. As far as military support is concerned, they welcome the agreements reached recently to deliver more ammunition and missiles to Ukraine, in particular thanks to the enlargement of the European industrial base. Furthermore, Ukraine has a key role to play in the new European Political Community and will work for the success of the Chisinau summit, together with France and Moldova. » Source Elysee, French Presidency

FRENCH- UKRAINIAN JOINT STATEMENT ISSUED BY FRENCH PRESIDENCY (As it was delivered)
During their meeting in Paris on May 14, 2023, the Presidents of Ukraine and the French Republic issued the following statement:
The Presidents of Ukraine and France reaffirmed their unequivocal condemnation of Russia's current war of aggression against Ukraine. Ukraine has shown remarkable determination in exercising its inherent right to self-defence against this unprovoked and unprovoked attack. Russia must withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders, immediately, completely and unconditionally. France and Ukraine expressly call on Russia to withdraw from the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, whose irresponsible seizure and militarization by the Russian armed forces poses a serious threat.

France maintains its unwavering attachment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. It pays tribute to the determination and courage of the Ukrainian people and armed forces and acknowledges their significant contribution to the security of the European continent and other countries. It will continue to provide political, financial, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine for as long as necessary, individually and through international cooperation with the European Union, NATO, the United Nations and other organisations. By defending the security of the European continent, France, Ukraine and other partners also preserve the international order based on the rules of law. The military support provided by France since the start of the war to enable Ukraine to defend itself is continuing and new deliveries are being prepared to permanently take into account Ukraine's most urgent and immediate needs in strengthening its defense capabilities. France aims to provide comprehensive capabilities in all areas. In the coming weeks, France will train and equip several battalions with dozens of armored vehicles and light tanks, including AMX-10RCs. In addition, France is focusing its efforts on supporting Ukraine's air defense capabilities in order to defend its population against Russian strikes. In addition to its national contribution, France actively participates in European Union and NATO measures in terms of military assistance to Ukraine and training of Ukrainian soldiers.

Beyond military assistance, France has provided Ukraine with civil assistance, including financial, humanitarian and emergency aid. In particular, France has sent two mobile DNA laboratories to Ukraine to strengthen Ukraine's ability to prosecute perpetrators of war crimes. This aid will continue to grow.
France supports the Ukrainian initiative for a just and lasting peace based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Peace Plan provides for a series of important objectives, many of which the French Republic is already working on. France expresses its support for the Ukrainian Peace Plan and declares its readiness to cooperate with Ukraine to ensure the widest possible international participation in a World Summit for Peace which will be organized in the coming months on the basis of the Ukrainian peace and possible other proposals in good faith.

Ukraine and France are determined to fight against impunity and they underline their firm will to bring to justice the perpetrators of war crimes and other atrocities committed within the framework of Russia's war of aggression against the 'Ukraine. France participates in current international efforts, in cooperation with Ukraine, to hold those responsible accountable by creating an appropriate prosecution mechanism for the crime of aggression. Broad international support is crucial in this regard in order to provide maximum international legitimacy while ensuring that those responsible are prosecuted. Therefore, France, while participating in the small group on the responsibility of perpetrators of crimes of aggression against Ukraine, encourages other countries to join them and to generate international support for the creation of an ad hoc tribunal. . France welcomes the agreement on a new International Center responsible for prosecuting the crime of aggression against Ukraine in The Hague and calls for its launch as soon as possible.

Ukraine and France reaffirm their support for the investigations of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court which constitute a step towards the possibility of holding accounts and they have taken note of the arrest warrants issued by the Court. France has provided additional support to the International Criminal Court to improve its capacities in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine.
Ukraine and France agree on the need to increase our collective pressure on Russia through new sanctions in order to weaken the ability of this country to continue its illegal war of aggression. Furthermore, they agree on the need to intensify efforts to ensure effective implementation of sanctions and to prevent and prevent the circumvention of these sanctions in and by third countries.

Ukraine and France will continue to work together and with other countries to develop compensation mechanisms for losses, injuries and damages caused by Russian aggression. To this end, the international damage register which will be presented at the Reykjavik Summit of the Council of Europe on 16 and 17 May 2023 is an important step. We will continue to examine appropriate options for financing the compensation mechanism, including a solid legal basis for the use of immobilized and frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine's reconstruction and as reparations.
Ukraine and France remain determined to help countries suffering from the consequences of the Russian war, in particular to reduce the effects of the food crisis. In this regard, France stresses the importance of Ukraine's systematic efforts to continue the Black Sea Grain Initiative and launch the "Grain from Ukraine" humanitarian program which aims to improve global food security. Ukraine greatly appreciates France's support for the "Grain from Ukraine" humanitarian program and encourages the strengthening of the support concerned.

Ukraine welcomes the fact that France organized the international conference on December 13, which enabled the creation of the Paris mechanism to better coordinate emergency aid. France is determined, with international organizations and its partners, to participate in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine after the war. From now on, it is important to lay the foundations for an ambitious long-term commitment that will open up concrete prospects and allow the Ukrainian people to rebuild their country. It is essential to involve all relevant partners, including private companies and internationally, to ensure the financial support, investment and knowledge needed to enable Ukraine to build a prosperous future.

The future of Ukraine and its people is within the European family. The European Union has already recognized Ukraine's European perspective and granted it the status of a candidate country. France firmly supports Ukraine in its reform efforts and in its desire to fulfill the necessary conditions by the end of 2023. It awaits with interest the report of the European Commission to begin accession negotiations. Ukraine and France call on the European Union to continue to support the country in all areas. As far as military support is concerned, they welcome the agreements reached recently to deliver more ammunition and missiles to Ukraine, in particular thanks to the enlargement of the European industrial base. Furthermore, Ukraine has a key role to play in the new European Political Community and will work for the success of the Chisinau summit, together with France and Moldova.

Within the framework of NATO, France continues to emphasize immediate support for Ukraine. It maintains its strong support for strengthening Ukraine's ability to defend itself and recalls that Ukraine has the right to choose its own security arrangements. France fully supports the NATO-Ukraine Commission, which will increase and broaden the ongoing cooperation to help Ukraine continue its path towards the Euro-Atlantic family, in accordance with the Bucharest Declaration. Ukraine and France look forward to addressing these issues at the NATO summit to be held in Vilnius in July 2023. » Source Elysee