Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky embarked on a diplomatic mission across Europe, touching down in Paris on Monday.
His primary objective is to secure defense assistance and financial contributions to bolster Ukraine's ongoing struggle against Russian aggression.
As reported by AFP, Zelensky's European tour has already yielded an energy agreement with Greece, and he is slated to visit Spain on Tuesday. The Ukrainian leader has hinted at a forthcoming "major deal with France," though it remains uncertain if this will be finalized during his discussions with President Emmanuel Macron.
According to Breitbart, the French presidency has expressed its commitment to leveraging "French excellence in the armaments industry" to support Ukraine's defense efforts. Macron is expected to propose strategies enabling Ukraine to "acquire the systems that it needs to answer Russian aggression."
Zelensky has been vocal about the necessity for enhanced anti-missile systems, reiterating his plea for increased support from Western allies. "Ukraine needs support that saves lives: more air-defence systems, more protective capabilities and greater resolve from our partners," he emphasized on social media.
This call for assistance follows Germany's recent delivery of Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, fulfilling previous commitments. "We have strengthened the 'Patriot' component of our Ukrainian air defense," Zelensky confirmed, expressing gratitude to Germany and Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz for their collaborative efforts to safeguard Ukrainian lives from "Russian terror."
Despite these efforts, the situation on the ground remains challenging for Ukraine. Russia currently occupies approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, having exploited vulnerabilities in Ukraine's defenses to make gradual advances in the east, albeit at significant cost in terms of personnel and equipment.
The trajectory of the conflict continues to pose difficulties for Ukraine, which finds itself outnumbered on the battlefield. The nation is reliant on sustained support from Western allies to prevent further territorial losses to Russian forces.
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