France, UK, Australia vow unwavering support for Ukraine
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France, Britain, and Australia say they are committed to continuing their support for Kiev on the second anniversary of the start of the Ukraine war.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron shake hands after a press conference, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at the Elysee Palace in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, Pool)
French President Emmanuel Macron pledged early Saturday that his country's support for Ukraine "will not waver".
"Battered and bruised, but still standing. Ukraine is fighting for itself, for its ideals, for our Europe. Our commitment at its side will not waver," he wrote in a message on X marking the second anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine, which falls on Saturday.
Deux ans de guerre. Frappée et meurtrie, mais toujours debout. L’Ukraine se bat pour elle, pour ses idéaux, pour notre Europe. Notre engagement à ses côtés ne faiblira pas. pic.twitter.com/Hrzx0WtDqu
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 23, 2024
A separate statement from Macron's office touted the European Union's support for Kiev, including accepting refugees, offering civil and military aid, and imposing additional sanctions against Moscow.
"President Putin's Russia must not count on any fatigue from Europeans," the statement said.
"France is also committed to continuing its support on all fronts, including the supply of military equipment, cooperation between defence industries through the development of co-productions, training, intelligence and civilian aid," it added.
"The outcome of this war will be decisive for European interests, values and security."
The French pledge of support came as other key Ukrainian allies renewed their commitment to assisting Kiev.
US President Joe Biden on Friday announced more than 500 new sanctions against Russia.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also confirmed Saturday that authorities have imposed sanctions on 55 individuals and 37 legal entities against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.
"We stand unwavering in our support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity... Today the Australian Government has imposed further targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on 55 persons, and targeted financial sanctions on 37 entities," Wong said in a statement.
"We have also sanctioned targets in Russia's defence, energy, media and minerals sectors, as well as targets involved in Russia's procurement networks in Belarus, Iran and North Korea," she added.
UK pledges £245 million to boost Ukraine artillery reserves
Meanwhile, the UK announced a new £245 million ($311 million) defense package to help boost the production of "urgently needed artillery ammunition" for Ukraine.
UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said the Ukrainian forces "cannot win this fight without the support of the international community -– and that's why we continue to do what it takes to ensure Ukraine can continue to fight towards victory."
The new funding will be used to "procure and invigorate supply chains to produce urgently needed artillery ammunition to boost Ukraine's reserves," said the UK Ministry of Defence.
In an update to parliament on Thursday, Shapps confirmed the delivery of an additional 200 Brimstone anti-tank missiles, bringing the total number to more than 1,300.
He also announced the UK will co-lead an international coalition that will supply thousands of drones to Ukraine.
Read more: Two years into Ukraine war, West fails to contain Russia: NYT
