Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on French President Emmanuel Macron to provide additional air defence systems and missiles during a phone conversation on Sunday, warning that Russia is exploiting global distraction to intensify its attacks on Ukraine.

“I spoke with President Emmanuel Macron... I informed him about our priority needs, first and foremost, air defence systems and missiles,” Zelensky said in a Facebook post.

The Ukrainian president emphasized that Russia is capitalizing on the international focus on other crises to strike Ukrainian territory with increasing force.

“Russia is now taking advantage of the moment, the fact that the Middle East and domestic issues in every country are getting maximum attention,” Zelensky stated.

Read more: Zelensky urges Trump to end Ukraine war like in 'Middle East'

Russia strikes Ukraine energy grid ahead of winter

In recent days, Russia has intensified its bombardment of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, cutting power to hundreds of thousands of residents as winter approaches. The latest strikes highlight growing concerns in Kiev over dwindling Western military aid and lagging deliveries of Ukrainian weapons.

France remains a significant military backer of Ukraine, but growing domestic and geopolitical distractions have raised concerns among Ukrainian officials about the consistency of support.

The call between the two leaders comes amid political uncertainty in France, where Macron has been navigating a fractured parliament since snap elections last year failed to deliver a governing majority. The paralysis has complicated French foreign policy priorities, including military aid to Ukraine.

Zelensky’s outreach appears aimed at reinforcing bilateral support and keeping Ukraine's needs on the agenda of European allies amid shifting global priorities.

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Diplomatic efforts stall as Russia-Ukraine war grinds on

Efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, now in its fourth year, have largely stalled. With military and diplomatic momentum fading, Kiev has increasingly called on allies to renew their commitments to the country’s defence.

As the war continues and the humanitarian toll rises, Ukraine’s leadership is urging partners to resist shifting attention away from the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.