“Today, there were words of support for Ukraine, admiration for our resilience and courage of our soldiers. I thank my colleague, the Chairman of the Committee Thomas Gassilloud, for organising such an important event.
We discussed in detail the situation on the battlefield, each of the areas, with a special focus on the situation in Avdiivka. I thanked him for his strong defence support and ongoing assistance in empowering our soldiers. France truly values freedom and helps to defend it.
We are talking about security, protection, guarantees of Ukraine's stability and restoration of justice. And all this is fully in line with both Ukrainian and European interests. This is another clear sign of strong unity and support for Ukraine.
My colleagues have asked me questions about both the restoration of Ukraine and psychological support for our military. Weapons production, joint ventures in Ukraine. Support for the defence industry. Defence in cyberspace. The issue of aircraft. Ammunition for our soldiers, artillery, and the protection of Ukrainian skies were all on the agenda.
I stressed russia's ability to circumvent sanctions. It is necessary to work with secondary sanctions, as russia is constantly coming up with new ways to obtain certain spare parts for weapons.
We discussed the NATO summit in Washington and bilateral security agreements. We expect a clearer position from NATO partners, and we need to invite Ukraine to join NATO. It is very important for us that France is a powerful voice that not only has its own position but also continues to work with NATO partner countries on Ukraine's accession to the Alliance.
We also discussed security in the Black Sea and the issue of our “grain corridor”.
We must constantly increase pressure on terror. Pressure in our defence, in sanctions against russia, in destroying the ways the russian state and its companies circumvent sanctions, in political and legal pressure. The more pressure there is, the faster we will move towards the restoration of our territorial integrity and international law and order. The occupier must be destroyed,” said Zavitnevych.