Zelensky meets French foreign minister on support for Ukraine

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna pose for a photograph during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sept 27, 2022. (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE VIA AP)

KYIV – Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday met with visiting French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna to discuss support for Ukraine, according to the presidential press service.

Zelensky voiced his belief that Ukraine will move forward along the path toward European integration, and thanked France for its support on the issue of granting Ukraine a candidate status for EU membership.

The Ukrainian leader also expressed his appreciation to French President Emmanuel Macron for his assistance in talks on the visit of the International Atomic Energy Agency mission to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine.

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Zelensky and Colonna also discussed defense assistance for Ukraine and new sanctions on Russia.

The French foreign minister arrived in Kyiv earlier in the day for her second visit since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February.

FAO project office in Ukraine

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will set up a project office in Ukraine, the Ukrainian government press service reported on Tuesday.

The adoption of the agreement and the establishment of the FAO office in Ukraine will raise cooperation to a much higher level.

Yulia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister, Ukraine

The Ukrainian government has authorized Yulia Svyrydenko, the first deputy prime minister and economy minister, to sign the deal with the FAO, said the government.

"The adoption of the agreement and the establishment of the FAO office in Ukraine will raise cooperation to a much higher level," Svyrydenko was quoted as saying.

According to Svyrydenko, the creation of the FAO office will help to support Ukraine's agricultural producers and facilitate the provision of humanitarian aid to Ukrainians in need.

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Between late February and mid-August, the FAO provided emergency agricultural assistance, such as seeds and multi-purpose cash aid, to 80,000 people in 13 regions of Ukrainian, according to the statement.