Ukrainian, French prime ministers talk defense cooperation, economic partnership

That's according to the government press service, Ukrinform reports.

The parties discussed a wide range of issues with defense cooperation being one of the main topics. As the Head of the Ukrainian Government noted, there are already first developments seen between Ukrainian and French companies in the field of defense industry.

“We are counting on strengthening this interaction,” Denys Shmyhal emphasized.

Economic partnership between the two states was also on the agenda of the prime ministers’ conversation. To strengthen interaction between the two governments, Denys Shmyhal proposed holding a joint meeting in Kyiv and Paris.

He also noted the importance of France's involvement in the process of restoring the country and thanked for participating in projects to rebuild Chernihiv region and for supporting humanitarian initiatives for Ukraine.

The parties also discussed the importance of maintaining the sanctions policy against the aggressor.

“Strengthening sanctions is an important element of pressure on Russia to force them to sit down at the negotiating table and end the war. This also applies to frozen Russian assets,” Shmyhal emphasized, raising the issue of their seizure and handover to Ukraine.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine praised France’s leading role in efforts to establish a just peace and thanked the French people, the Government, and President Emmanuel Macron for their unwavering and firm support for Ukraine.

In turn, François Bayrou assured Shmyhal further support for Ukraine and assistance in the social, economic, and defense areas.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, France's position on the use of frozen Russian Central Bank assets could evolve, although legal issues need to be addressed first, according to French Minister for Europe Benjamin Haddad.