President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with President of France Emmanuel Macron.
The Ukrainian President expressed his gratitude to Emmanuel Macron, France, and the entire French nation for their support of Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and their contribution to saving lives.
The leaders discussed the battlefield situation in detail, particularly in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions. President Zelenskyy also briefed his French counterpart on the progress of the Kursk operation, noting losses among North Korean military personnel, which now total 4,000 killed and wounded. He also informed Emmanuel Macron about the capture of two North Korean soldiers, who are currently giving testimony to the Security Service of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian President outlined Ukraine’s current defense needs, which include various types of air defense systems and high-precision long-range weapons. He also proposed that France contribute to financing Ukraine’s domestic weapons production and the procurement of artillery shells. Strengthening Ukraine’s positions on the battlefield and protecting its people from Russian missile and drone attacks are critically important steps toward achieving a just and lasting peace.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron agreed to meet in the near future and instructed their teams to plan a series of engagements at various levels to coordinate joint actions with partners toward achieving a just peace and developing effective security guarantees. As one potential option, they discussed the French initiative to deploy military contingents in Ukraine, along with practical steps for its implementation, potential expansion, and the involvement of other nations in this effort.