French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday reiterated to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky Paris’s support for Ukraine’s resistance to the Russian invasion, as well as the fight against Kremlin propaganda.
In a statement, the French Presidency specifies that, in a telephone conversation lasting an hour and a half, the two heads of state analyzed the moment of the conflict and the departure from Odessa (southeast of Ukraine), this Monday, of the first ship to export of Ukrainian grain.
Razoni is the first ship to leave a Ukrainian port since the beginning of the invasion. kyiv and Moscow highlight positive step
According to the Elysée Palace, Macron considered it a “good news”guaranteeing that France “will continue to support European efforts” for the export of Ukrainian cereals by land and sea, in the field of “solidarity corridors”.
Macron also confirmed his willingness to continue macroeconomic support for Ukraine, both in the short term and in the reconstruction of the country.
The French president recalled that, during his recent trip to Africa, which took him to Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau, “he denounced the propaganda war launched by Russia”, recalling that Moscow is using its influence on the African continent to weaponize disinformation.
The presidents of France and Ukraine agreed to continue joint efforts to combat Russian disinformation on a global scale.”
Macron questioned Zelensky about Ukraine’s military, humanitarian and economic needs and confirmed Paris’ willingness to continue supporting the Ukrainian army in resisting the Russian aggressor.
The conversation on Monday was the first since Macron’s visit to kyiv on June 16, together with the heads of government of Italy and Germany, and the 35th they have had since December 10, including personal contacts.
In addition, Macron has spoken 28 times since December 14 with Russian President Vladimir Putin, several of them with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Included in this list is the visit to the Kremlin on February 7.
The military offensive launched on February 24 by Russia in Ukraine has already caused around 16 million people to flee their homes —more than six million internally displaced persons and almost ten million to neighboring countries—, according to the latest data from the UN, which places this refugee crisis as the worst in Europe since the Second World War (1939-1945).
Also According to the United Nations, around 15 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine.
The Russian invasion—justified by Russian President Vladimir Putin with the need to “denazify” and demilitarize Ukraine for Russia’s security—was condemned by the international community at large, which responded by sending weapons to Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia that They affect practically everyone. sectors, from banking to sports.
The UN confirmed that 5,237 civilians were killed and 7,035 were injured in the war, which this Monday entered its 159th day, noting that the real figures are expected to be much higher and will only be known when there is access to fenced areas or under intense fighting. . .
Source: Observadora
