France announces new military assistance to Ukraine

The relevant statement was made by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna in an interview with RFI, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“New military aid deliveries are being prepared in order to constantly take into account the most urgent needs expressed by Ukraine,” Colonna told.

In her words, the French side will continue and strengthen support for Ukraine.

“France has repeatedly stated that it will support Ukraine as long as it is necessary for it to be able to ensure the legal protection of its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. No one should doubt our determination to fulfill this commitment,” Colonna stressed.

Regarding the security guarantees for Ukraine before joining NATO, Colonna mentioned that the French side expects the Vilnius summit “to provide an opportunity to consolidate the Alliance’s support for Ukraine on a long-term basis and to give concrete meaning to its prospect of joining NATO”.

According to Colonna, France is working with a number of partners to determine security guarantees that could be provided to Ukraine not instead but along with its integration into the Alliance.

“These guarantees are still being negotiated, but their purpose will be very clear: in the short term, to provide Ukraine with the means to ensure its self-defense,” Colonna noted.

A reminder that France will allocate an additional EUR 40 million in financial aid to Ukraine for 2023.