Deliveries of air defense systems are the subject of talks between the heads of the foreign ministries of France and Ukraine in Kyiv

The delivery of air defense systems and missiles was the focal point of discussions between the foreign ministers of Ukraine and France in Kyiv. The new head of French diplomacy, Stephane Sejourne, visited the Ukrainian capital on Saturday.

“We are grateful to France for its comprehensive support, particularly in bolstering our air defense. Today, we discussed the supply of systems and missiles to defend the Ukrainian sky, as well as drones”, said the head of Ukrainian diplomacy, Dmytro Kuleba, during a press conference, as quoted by the Interfax-Ukraine agency.

Strengthening security and cooperation

Kuleba expressed gratitude to Ukraine for its support in the process of integration with the EU and NATO, highlighting that France played a key role in granting Ukraine the status of an EU candidate and would assist Kyiv in the subsequent stages of integration.

“Paris's support for Ukraine's integration with NATO is equally strong. Today, we have coordinated steps ahead of the NATO summit in Washington”, added the Ukrainian minister.

Interfax-Ukraine also quoted the statement of the French minister, who declared that his country wants to "jointly increase Ukraine's capabilities in the production of weapons on its territory and is ready to help in this field."

"France's support for Ukraine is long-term. This is what I intend to convey during my first visit to Kyiv"
Sejourne wrote on the X platform on Saturday morning.

After Kyiv, his first visit abroad a day after his appointment, Sejourne is due to head to Berlin and Warsaw, saying he attached particular importance to the so-called Weimar triangle, an informal forum of discussion between France, Germany, and Poland.

Sejourne’s visit came a day after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was in Kyiv to sign a new security agreement and announce an increase in military funding for Ukraine to buy drones, including surveillance, long-range strike and sea drones.