Ukrainian president pays surprise visit to France

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz shake hands during a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron (center) at the presidential Elysee Palace in Paris, on Feb 8, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

PARIS / BERLIN / LONDON- After his visit to the United Kingdom, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stopped off in Paris Wednesday evening and met with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

A tri-party dinner was held at the French presidential office to "continue the close coordination which makes it possible to respond quickly and effectively to the needs expressed by Kyiv," according to the Elysee.

During the press conference held at the Elysee Wednesday night, Macron reaffirmed "unwavering" support of France and Europe to Ukraine. "What is being played out in Ukraine affects the future of Europe," he said.

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Zelensky asked again for weapons, adding that Ukraine needed heavy armament and planes "as soon as possible."

Macron and Scholz both said that France, Germany and the European Union intended to continue their "efforts" to deliver weapons. Scholz stressed that Germany would continue to support Ukraine "for as long as necessary."

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (right) and Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (left) hold a press conference at a military facility in Lulworth, Dorset in southern England on Feb 8, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

Zelensky was in the UK to discuss defense cooperation. This was his second visit outside his country since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The UK government said in a statement on Wednesday that it had already trained 10,000 Ukrainian troops to "battle readiness" over the past six months and would "upskill" a further 20,000 this year, without mentioning the provision of jets

Zelensky addressed both houses of the UK Parliament after meeting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street. He then met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.

In his speech in Parliament, Zelensky thanked the UK for its support and appealed for fighter jets.

The UK government said in a statement on Wednesday that it had already trained 10,000 Ukrainian troops to "battle readiness" over the past six months and would "upskill" a further 20,000 this year, without mentioning the provision of jets.

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A spokesperson said Sunak had tasked Defense Secretary Ben Wallace with investigating what jets Britain might be able to give Ukraine, noting that this will be a "long-term solution" rather than "a short-term capability."

According to Ukraine's presidential press service, Zelensky and Sunak exchanged views on the peace plan proposed by Kiev, as well as on Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration and post-conflict reconstruction.

Zelensky was also scheduled to visit Ukrainian troops undergoing military training in South England.

Scholz: NATO must not be part of the conflict

Despite providing military assistance to Ukraine, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) must not become a party to the country's conflict with Russia, Scholz said.

In a speech to the German lower house of parliament (Bundestag) ahead of a special meeting of the European Council to discuss the conflict, Scholz warned against a "public competition to outdo each other along the lines of battle tanks, submarines, aircraft…"

This would harm the unity of the West, he said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses delegates on Feb 8, 2023 at the Bundestag (lower house of parliament) in Berlin.
(PHOTO / AFP)

"We preserve and strengthen this cohesion by preparing decisions confidentially first before communicating them," he said, referring to the recent decision taken by Germany and the US on the delivery of battle tanks.

Due to increasing pressure on Germany by NATO partners to supply heavy artillery to Ukraine, the German government decided in late January to deliver 14 Leopard 2 tanks, and to permit partners to re-export from their Leopard stocks. In addition, the export of up to 178 of the older Leopard 1 tanks was later approved.

The US followed suit shortly afterward, with President Joe Biden announcing the delivery of Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine.

However, experts say it will be months before the German and American tanks are delivered.

Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of Russia's lower house, warned last month that the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine would lead to retaliation with "more powerful weapons."

 At the upcoming European Council meeting on Feb 9-10, Scholz indicated that sanctions against Russia would be further tightened. The bloc will support Ukraine "for as long as necessary," he said.