Ukrainian FM Kuleba meets French counterpart Séjourné for defense talks in Kyiv
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Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, met with his French counterpart, Stéphane Séjourné, who arrived in Kyiv on Jan. 13, according to video posted on Facebook.
They discussed defense cooperation, as well as Ukraine’s EU and NATO integration.
During the press conference, Kuleba highlighted talks on “systems and missiles for Ukrainian skies, and the supply of drones.”
“Today we will work on creating the most favorable conditions for our defense companies, primarily in the legal sphere, so that the legal and financial terms of interaction between them are as favorable as possible, enabling them to produce as much weaponry as possible,” said Kuleba.
The diplomats coordinated steps for the NATO Summit on July 9-11, 2024, and discussed Ukraine’s EU integration.
Read also: France, Ukraine discuss joint arms production
“We agreed that France will support not just Ukraine’s integration into the EU, but adherence to specific timelines along this path,” stated Kuleba.
They also addressed frozen Russian assets and discussed a special tribunal.
“We understand that there are legal constraints in both areas. However, we are committed to seeking sensible and balanced solutions to implement both of these initiatives,” stated Kuleba.
Séjourne affirmed France’s commitment to enhancing Ukraine’s domestic weapons capabilities.
Read also: Zelenskyy discusses joint arms production with French defense minister
He also mentioned Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s visit and French defense companies to Ukraine on Sept. 28, 2023.
“We will continue to strive to improve the legal frameworks to further enhance the development of this cooperation,” said the French diplomat.
Séjourné added that he is aware of how Ukraine values French technologies provided to counteract Russian aggression.
“Referring to the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, I want to assure you that France will stand side by side with Ukraine for as long as needed,” he said.
“This commitment is unwavering.”
Read also: France pledges to deliver more ammunition to Ukraine in 2024
He emphasized that Ukraine remains a priority for France, despite increasing global crises.
“Russia hopes that Ukraine and its allies will tire more quickly than they will,” the minister stated.
“However, we assure in response that we are ready to continue supporting the resistance that Ukraine is putting up against the aggressor.”
Former French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne resigned Jan. 8, having held the position since May 2022. The new Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, announced a new government on Jan. 11, appointing Séjourné as Foreign Minister.
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