President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Paris on March 13 for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on the war in Ukraine and ongoing peace efforts, The Kyiv Independent reports.
The two leaders discussed the security situation in Europe, Ukraine, and the Middle East, as well as defense cooperation and joint military production, according to Zelensky.
"We identified steps and specific decisions that can deliver strong results. This concerns both air defense and combat aviation," the Ukrainian president said on X.
Last year, Ukraine signed a deal with France for the potential purchase of up to 100 Dassault Rafale fighter jets and eight next-generation SAMP/T air defense systems.
The Elysee Palace said earlier that Macron and Zelensky would discuss French and European support for Ukraine's defense and ways to increase pressure on Russia, namely by targeting its shadow fleet.
"It is important to continue putting pressure on Russia over this war in order to achieve genuine security and a lasting peace," Zelensky said.
The meeting took place just as the U.S. moves to ease sanctions on Russian oil, as Washington's ongoing war with Iran drives rising fuel prices.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Macron, Zelensky warned that the relaxation of U.S. sanctions can provide Russia with $10 billion for its war effort.
"This definitely doesn't help peace," Zelensky said.
The EU and the remaining G7 members will maintain their sanctions against Moscow, despite the difficult situation on the oil market, Macron emphasized.
"The context of rising oil prices should in no way lead us to reconsider our sanctions policy towards Russia," he said at the press conference.
The French leader also said that the U.S. waiver is limited and will have a negligible impact.
Commenting on hostilities in the Middle East, Zelensky noted that already more than 10 countries have reached out to Ukraine for assistance in countering Iranian drones.
"These are effectively the same drones that the Iranian regime delivered to Russia, and taught the Russians how to use them against the peaceful Ukrainian population," Zelensky said.
Kyiv previously confirmed dispatching drone experts to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
The visit marked Zelensky's second visit to France this year. The Ukrainian leader took part in the Coalition of the Willing summit on Jan. 6, where France and the U.K. pledged to deploy troops in Ukraine as part of post-war security guarantees.
The presidents will "exchange views on the conditions for a just and lasting peace and, in this regard, take stock of the commitments made within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing on security guarantees," according to the Elysee Palace previously said.
