Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation

Zelensky lands in France in pursuit of further pressure on Russia

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 15 May 2023 01:05
4 Min Read

In his second visit to France, Zelensky discusses various affairs regarding the Ukraine war with his French counterpart.

  • x
  • French President Emmanuel Macron, left, welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Elysee palace in Paris, May 14, 2023 (AP)
    French President Emmanuel Macron, left, welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Elysee palace in Paris, May 14, 2023 (AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky landed in Paris on Sunday for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron after having accepted a prize for Kiev's fight for "European ideals" during a visit to Germany.

"Paris. With each visit, Ukraine's defense and offensive capabilities are expanding," Zelensky tweeted as he arrived on Sunday evening at the airbase of Villacoublay southwest of Paris.

Furthermore, according to the Ukrainian leader, relations with Europe "are getting stronger, and the pressure on Russia is growing."

Shortly afterward, Macron welcomed his Ukrainian counterpart to the Elysee Palace for the second time since the start of the Ukraine war.

The French leader's office said the two heads of state would discuss France's "support" in responding to "Ukraine's urgent military and humanitarian needs" during a dinner at the presidential palace.

Moreover, the statement said Macron would "reaffirm the unwavering support of France and Europe for restoring Ukraine's legitimate rights and defend its fundamental interests."

Zelensky landed in Paris just hours after EU leaders in Germany lauded the Ukrainian people for fighting for the bloc's freedom and values, handing this year's award for "service towards European unity" to Zelensky.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said at the Charlemagne award ceremony in the western city of Aachen that Ukraine "incarnates everything the European idea is living for: the courage of convictions, the fight for values and freedom, the commitment to peace and unity."

"President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine are fighting for the values and the obligation that this prize embodies. And in doing so, they are also fighting for our own freedom and our values," she added.

Related News

EU will unite against Trump tariffs, but open to 'compromise': Scholz

Germany's Sholz says 'strong Ukraine' essential for Europe's security

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Russia's war on its neighbor made it crystal clear that "Ukraine is part of our European family."

In light of the event, Zelensky said Germany was a "true friend and reliable ally" of Ukraine.

This came after the German government decided to equip Ukraine with more weaponry worth 2.7 billion euros (almost $3 billion), which will be Berlin's greatest military support package to Kiev, a Der Spiegel report said.

The article said the German Chancellor's office and other ministries agreed during covert discussions to give Ukraine "additional weapons worth about 2.7 billion euros" in the next weeks and months. 

The publication revealed that Berlin intends to supply Ukraine with 20 Marder infantry combat vehicles, 30 Leopard 1 tanks, up to 200 reconnaissance drones, Gepard anti-aircraft vehicles, extra IRIS-T anti-aircraft missiles, artillery rounds, and transporters. 

German media announced in early May that Zelensky would visit Berlin on May 13 at the request of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. According to the T-Online news site, Ukraine was very displeased that details of Zelensky's visit were made public and was considering canceling the trip over security concerns.

Earlier, EU Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell said the conflict in Ukraine could end immediately if the West and its allies decide to halt the provision of military support to Kiev. Doing so, however, would result in Ukraine's loss of sovereignty, he says. 

"I know how to end the war immediately: I stop providing military assistance to Ukraine, and Ukraine has to surrender in a few days. That's it, the war is over," Borrell said, noting that the end result would lead into Ukraine becoming "a puppet country, like Belarus, deprived of its freedoms."

As of February 2023, the EU and US have announced more than $120 billion in aid to Ukraine, including state-of-the-art weapons and armory. 

The US is currently preparing to announce another $1.2 billion military aid package to Ukraine, a week after the US' last announcement of a package of $300 million, which, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, included heavy artillery and ammunition, anti-tank weaponry, and other field equipment.

  • Olaf Scholz
  • Germany
  • Volodymyr Zelensky
  • France
  • Ukraine
  • Josep Borrell
  • European Union
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS