During a visit to Paris, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that France and Germany have an opportunity to "change the rules of the game" in the war against Russia by not hesitating to deliver heavy weapons and modern combat aircraft to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a visit to Paris on Wednesday that France and Germany have an opportunity to "change the rules of the game" in the war against Russia by not hesitating to deliver heavy weapons and modern combat aircraft to Ukraine.
Zelensky arrived in Paris to dine with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz after talks in Britain earlier in the day, where he urged his Western allies to give Ukraine "wings of freedom" by sending warplanes to help turn the tide against Russia. .
Zelensky will travel to Brussels on Thursday, where he will attend a summit of European leaders.
He said, "We have a little time. I am now talking about the weapons needed for peace and stopping the war that Russia started."
He added, "France and Germany have the ability to change the rules of the game, and this is how I see our talks today. The sooner we get long-range heavy weapons and our pilots get modern planes, the closer the end of this Russian aggression."
Western countries have increased their pledges to provide military aid to Ukraine this year with promises of hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles, as well as long-range weapons, but have so far refused to deliver Western-made combat aircraft.
Macron said that operational matters would be discussed during the dinner, and stressed that Russia could not be allowed to win the war, and that Paris, like Berlin, would continue to support the military support that Ukraine needs to secure its future as long as it is necessary.
Before Thursday's meeting in Belgium, Schulz sought to reaffirm Kyiv's position in Europe.
"I am sending a clear message to Brussels: Ukraine belongs to the European family," he said.