Putin's Fear? Macron 'Cancels' Ukraine Visit After Promise To Finalise Big Defence Deal | Details
Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed Ukraine's defense needs, preparation of bilateral document on security commitments with Emmanuel Macron
10 February 2024 - 16:31
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron.
Macron postpones visit to Ukraine for security reasons - Media
French President Emmanuel Macron has postponed his visit to Ukraine. The trip was scheduled for February 13-14, according to Challenges.
The Élysée Palace states that Macron's visit has been postponed due to security considerations. As reported, this decision has raised many questions among French and Ukrainian diplomats.
The French-Ukrainian business association, Medef International, has also canceled its visit to Ukraine.
Challenges notes that Macron was initially supposed to visit Odesa and then travel to Kyiv.
The French-Ukrainian business association, Medef International, has also canceled its visit to Ukraine.
Challenges notes that Macron was initially supposed to visit Odesa and then travel to Kyiv.
- The French President was also expected to announce the establishment of a fund worth €200 million, which would be disbursed as donations for civilian projects.
- Additionally, it was anticipated that Macron would officially announce the French Development Agency (AFD) as the coordinator of French assistance to Ukraine.
France's stance on the war
French President Emmanuel Macron visited Ukraine in the summer of 2022. At that time, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi accompanied him to Kyiv.
France supports Ukraine in the ongoing war initiated by Russia, providing military, financial, and humanitarian aid. Macron previously stated that Paris plans to sign a security agreement with Ukraine, similar to the UK has.
Furthermore, Macron himself announced his intention to visit Ukraine in February. The signing of a bilateral security guarantee agreement between the countries was planned during the visit.
France supports Ukraine in the ongoing war initiated by Russia, providing military, financial, and humanitarian aid. Macron previously stated that Paris plans to sign a security agreement with Ukraine, similar to the UK has.
Furthermore, Macron himself announced his intention to visit Ukraine in February. The signing of a bilateral security guarantee agreement between the countries was planned during the visit.
Ukraine: Macron postpones visit to the country for security reasons
For the Elysée there are security reasons that justify a postponement of the trip, although the decision has raised doubts in French and Ukrainian diplomatic circles
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© Agenzia Nova -
The French president Emmanuel Macron postponed his visit to Ukraine for security reasons. This is what the weekly magazine “Challenges” claims.
- Macron's visit was supposed to take place on February 13 and 14, first in Odessa and then in Kiev.
- The French head of state was expected to announce the creation of a 200 million euro fund to finance civil projects.
- Macron was also expected to announce that the French Development Agency (AfD) will take on the role of coordinator of French aid in Ukraine.
- However, for the Elysée there are security reasons that justify a postponement of the trip, although the decision has raised doubts in French and Ukrainian diplomatic circles, the weekly reported.
- The business association Medef International also decided to cancel a mission to Kiev at the same time as Macron's visit.
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Macron scraps Ukraine visit due to ‘security issues’ – media
The French president earlier promised to finalize a security deal with Kiev
French President Emmanuel Macron has postponed his planned visit to Ukraine due to security concerns, the French magazine Challenges reported on Sunday.
According to the report, the trip was scheduled for February 13-14. Macron was expected to visit Odessa – Ukraine’s largest Black Sea port – and later arrive in Kiev.
According to the report, the trip was scheduled for February 13-14. Macron was expected to visit Odessa – Ukraine’s largest Black Sea port – and later arrive in Kiev.
- The French government has not commented on the reported delay.
Macron last visited Kiev in June 2022, four months after Russia launched its military operation. The new French foreign minister, Stephane Sejourne, made a visit to the Ukrainian capital in January, where he met with President Vladimir Zelensky and promised more support.
Macron announced last month that France would provide 40 additional SALP-EG air-launched cruise missiles and “hundreds of bombs.”
He said he would “finalize” the bilateral security agreement during an upcoming trip Ukraine.
A similar pact that Kiev previously signed with London stipulates that Ukraine will receive “swift and sustained security assistance, modern military equipment across all domains” in the event of a Russian attack in the future.
Russia summoned the French ambassador in January, protesting over “the dozens of Frenchmen” fighting in the Ukrainian army.
- The French Foreign Ministry has denied Moscow’s claim that it had deployed “mercenaries in Ukraine.” At the same time, Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said Paris cannot stop “French civilians” from traveling to Ukraine and joining the fight on Kiev’s side.
In early February, France summoned the Russian ambassador over the deaths of two French aid workers in an airstrike in Ukraine.
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