France Strengthens Support for Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict with Russia
France's foreign minister has expressed unwavering support for Ukraine's proposed plan to end the war with Russia, pledging to collaborate with Ukrainian officials to garner backing from other nations. Speaking to reporters in Kyiv on Saturday, Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized the urgency of supporting Ukraine’s diplomatic strategy, which was unveiled by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this week. The plan aims to persuade Russia to cease its invasion through negotiations.
"A Russian victory would represent a triumph of the law of the strongest and propel the international order into chaos," Barrot warned at a joint news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. "That is why our exchanges should allow us to make progress on President Zelenskyy's victory plan and rally as many countries as possible around it."
Since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, France has stood as one of Ukraine's most steadfast supporters in military, diplomatic, and economic realms. The French government has committed to training and equipping a new brigade of Ukrainian soldiers aimed for front-line deployment, with Zelenskyy expecting the brigade's readiness by the end of November.
Barrot revealed that France would also supply the first batch of Mirage 2000 combat jets to Ukraine within the first quarter of 2025, along with training for Ukrainian pilots and mechanics to ensure effective operation and maintenance of the aircraft. He underscored that by resisting the aggressor with exceptional resolve, Ukraine is not only defending its own sovereignty but also safeguarding the European continent from oppression and tyranny associated with Vladimir Putin's Russia.
Moreover, Barrot's visit coincided with a notable prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, which resulted in the return of 190 prisoners of war. Among the liberated were 95 Ukrainians, including 34 heroic Azov fighters involved in the defense of Mariupol and the Azovstal steelworks, a stronghold that has become emblematic of Ukraine's resistance.
President Zelenskyy celebrated the return of these fighters on social media, acknowledging their bravery in defending several regions against Russian forces. However, the Azov Brigade head, Denys Prokopenko, noted that approximately 900 fighters are still in captivity.
In a solemn contrast, the same day saw the repatriation of 501 deceased Ukrainian soldiers, marking the largest return of fallen military personnel since the conflict escalated. These soldiers predominantly perished in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, where Russia has intensified its offensives.
In response to the ongoing conflict, the Russian Defense Ministry reported the interception of 16 Ukrainian drones over its Bryansk, Rostov, and Belgorod regions, alongside unverified reports of fires at critical facilities in the area. The Ukrainian Air Force also reported extensive aerial assaults with over 100 drones and missiles targeting Ukraine, claiming to have destroyed dozens of them in the process.
As international attention remains focused on the conflict, the evolving situation underscores the critical importance of diplomatic support and military assistance for Ukraine as it strives to recover from the devastation inflicted by the ongoing hostilities.
Related Sources: