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\n Emmanuel Macron receives Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on Friday to reaffirm France’s “reliable” support for Ukraine. This twelfth visit since the Russian invasion aims to demonstrate that the war in the Middle East is not distracting the EU’s attention. Leaders will discuss financial aid and the fight against Iranian drones.\n<\/p>\n
Emmanuel Macron will host Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris, marking the 12th visit since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022. The primary goal of this meeting is to reaffirm France\u2019s unwavering support for Ukraine, especially in light of escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
The two leaders plan to discuss essential topics such as military cooperation against Iranian drones and address Hungary’s recent blockage of a significant European loan worth 90 billion euros. This issue will be revisited during an upcoming EU summit in Brussels.<\/p>\n
The message from this meeting is clear: the ongoing conflict in the Middle East will not divert attention away from Ukraine. According to Elys\u00e9e officials, there is an urgent need to counter the perception, particularly in the Kremlin, that the war in Iran provides Russia with an opportunity to gain from the current geopolitical landscape.<\/p>\n
An advisor to the French president emphasized that \u201cno crisis will distract our attention from Ukraine,\u201d highlighting France’s role as a \u201creliable partner\u201d for Ukraine. This meeting aims to reaffirm this commitment unequivocally.<\/p>\n
One key aspect of the discussions will be the military cooperation regarding Iranian drones, especially given their increasing use by Russian forces. The French presidency has noted Ukraine’s unique expertise in counteracting these threats, which has garnered attention due to Tehran’s recent retaliatory actions against various targets in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
This dialogue follows Zelensky’s recent discussions in Bucharest, where he signed a declaration with his Romanian counterpart for joint drone production. The Franco-Ukrainian alliance on drone technology is set to advance, with plans already in place for collaborative efforts to counter aerial threats.<\/p>\n
Financing for Ukraine is another critical topic on the agenda. The \u20ac90 billion EU loan, initially promised in December, is currently blocked by Hungary, necessitating urgent discussions surrounding this funding. Zelensky recently advocated for Europe to develop a \u201cPlan B\u201d in case Hungary continues to impose conditions on the loan.<\/p>\n
Macron\u2019s team has insisted that the original agreement remains in effect, with hopes for the first disbursements to occur shortly. This aspect underscores the urgency of solidifying European financial support for Ukraine.<\/p>\n
Macron will also present findings from the recent G7 meeting, where a consensus emerged around maintaining sanctions on Russian oil. Despite the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, the need to retain pressure on Moscow remains a priority for Western leaders. Macron emphasizes France’s leadership in tackling the issue of Russia’s “ghost fleet,” which is known to circumvent sanctions.<\/p>\n
This meeting in Paris is not just a demonstration of support but a strategic dialogue that aims to cement alliances and prepare coordinated responses to the ongoing challenges posed by Russia and other geopolitical tensions affecting Europe.<\/p>\n