Zelensky pushes for more military aid on European tour
Visit our website:
http://www.france24.com
Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English
Follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/France24_en
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 Touching down at dusk in Paris, the key moment of Ukraine's war approaching,
00:04 its leader is shoring up support, met on the runway by the French Prime Minister,
00:09 then greeted with fanfare at the Elysee Palace. A second visit here and a similar narrative.
00:15 After the handshakes and the smiles, the questions for President Macron over the three-hour dinner,
00:21 what more can France provide before Ukraine launches its counter-offensive against Russia?
00:28 President Zelensky, in optimistic mood as he arrived, tweeting this.
00:32 "Paris. With each visit, Ukraine's defence and offensive capabilities are expanding,
00:38 the ties with Europe are getting stronger and the pressure on Russia is growing."
00:44 In a brief joint statement after the meeting, it was confirmed France will now send dozens
00:49 of light tanks and French troops will be involved in the training of Ukrainian soldiers.
00:55 But it was Germany where President Zelensky had the biggest support.
00:59 He travelled there earlier to collect the prestigious Charlemagne Prize for European values
01:03 and also received a 2.7 billion euro military aid package, including state-of-the-art Leopard
01:10 tanks as well as air defence systems. The long weekend of shuttle diplomacy began in Italy with
01:16 an audience with the Pope and a warm welcome from Italy's right-wing leader, whose coalition
01:22 partners have previously praised Russia. And in the past few hours, the UK too has answered calls
01:29 for desperately needed air defence missiles and drones. They're sending hundreds, indications
01:34 that point to last-minute preparations in Ukraine's fight to recapture lost territory.