(AFP) – France's new foreign minister, Stéphane Séjourne, renewed his country's support for Ukraine on Saturday, choosing Kiev for his first official overseas trip as the country marks the second anniversary of its war with Russia.
Sejourne arrived in Kiev as Ukraine again witnessed a wave of nighttime attacks from Russia, which has stepped up its airstrikes in recent days.
The trip comes as allies struggle to secure funding, and some fear Kiev will be forgotten amid new conflicts, including between Israel and Hamas.
“Despite the growing crisis, Ukraine is and will continue to be a priority for France,” Séjourne said.
The newly appointed foreign minister explained that “fundamental principles of international law, European values and France's security interests” were at stake in Ukraine.
Séjourne, 38, does not have a background as a career diplomat, unlike his predecessor Catherine Colonna, but he has already pledged continued support.
According to a December study by the Kiel Institute, aid pledged to Ukraine from August to October 2023 fell by nearly 90% compared to the same period in 2022, reaching its lowest level since the start of the war.
A EU aid package worth 50 billion euros ($55 billion) is stalled in Brussels, while the US Congress remains divided over additional aid to Ukraine.
President Macron warns of Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the United Nations: “We will return to the era of imperialism'' https://t.co/mzIFWELOrq
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) September 21, 2022
“Russia wants Ukraine and its supporters to tire before they get tired. We will not flinch,” Séjourne added.
But Russia has strengthened its arsenal, prepared for a long war, and reoriented its economy.
In recent weeks, it has stepped up air attacks on the war-torn country.
Russia fired 40 missiles and drones over the country in a barrage overnight, according to Ukraine's air force.
Destroyed 8 missiles and disabled more than 20 devices.
“Either it fell into the field, exploded in the air or was affected by the radio and electronic warfare of our defense forces,” Air Force spokesman Yuri Ignat told television.
Russia said it had attacked “all designated facilities,” targeting locations producing ammunition and drones.
Ukrainian authorities said no one was killed in the barrage, but one civilian was injured in the Sumy region.
In 2023, World War I-style trench warfare returns to Europe in Ukraine.https://t.co/fshqnlRBQX
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) December 31, 2023
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba held a press conference alongside Séjourne shortly after taking office, praising his minister for his “important” visit despite the Russian attack.
“I appreciate your courage and the fact that he didn't turn around midway through,” Kleba said.
“We also discussed further supplies of systems and missiles to protect Ukraine's skies, as well as the supply of unmanned aerial vehicles to Ukraine,” he added.
According to a parliamentary report released in November, France's military aid to Ukraine amounts to 3.2 billion euros.
Séjourne said France is providing artillery and air defense to Ukraine.
He added that “we are entering a new phase of defense cooperation” aimed at “strengthening Ukraine's ability to produce the necessary weapons domestically.”
Kuleba confirmed that the two countries have agreed to “work towards creating the most favorable conditions for the interaction of defense companies”, including legal aspects.
A day earlier, Kiev had seen a visit from British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who announced a new multibillion-dollar aid package for Ukraine and pledged 10 years of support from London.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy praised the “unprecedented” 10-year security cooperation agreement and 2.5 billion pounds ($3.2 billion) of new military aid planned for 2024.
