Ukraine’s FM reports "meaningful" talks with French counterpart in Paris

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has held "meaningful and important" talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot in a meeting in Paris, held during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to France.

The discussions covered peace efforts, the activities of the Coalition of the Willing, and Ukraine–France defence cooperation, Caliber.Az reports, citing Sybiha’s post on X.

The ministers also coordinated positions on European issues, including the effective use of the SAFE mechanism for joint projects with Ukraine, further contributions to the NATO PURL initiative, and the full deployment of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.

Sybiha expressed gratitude to France for its support and leadership, adding that he expects successful outcomes from President Zelenskyy’s visit.

Zelenskyy's trip to Paris, his third in 2025, occurs amid accelerated U.S.-led peace negotiations under President Donald Trump's 28-point framework (revised to 19 points after Geneva talks on November 23). The visit builds on a bilateral security agreement signed on November 17, 2025, during Zelenskyy's previous Paris stop, which commits France to €3 billion in military aid over 2025–2027, including 100 Rafale fighter jets, SCALP missiles, and training for 30,000 Ukrainian troops. France, under President Macron, has emerged as Ukraine's top European donor, emphasising "peace through strength" with guarantees against future Russian aggression.

By Khagan Isayev