After a shock UK go to, Ukraine’s President Zelensky went to Paris instantly afterward in a whirlwind European tour to fulfill with Western leaders. In Paris he held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Macron asserted throughout the go to that Russia can’t win the conflict in opposition to Ukraine. “Ukraine can depend on France, its European companions and allies to win the conflict. Russia can’t and should not win,” Macron stated earlier than a working dinner among the many three leaders on the Elysee Palace.

Simply forward of the assembly, Zelensky in an interview with Le Figaro hailed a change of coronary heart in Macron. “I believe he has modified, and altered for actual this time,” Zelensky stated. “In any case, it’s he who paved the best way for the supply of tanks. And he has additionally supported Ukraine’s membership to the EU. I believe that was an actual sign.”

Macron had angered Kiev when in June he stated the West should not “humiliate Russia, in order that when the combating stops we are able to construct an exit ramp by means of diplomatic means.” 

Macron has additionally come underneath hearth for being among the many solely Western leaders to carry frequent cellphone conversations with President Vladimir Putin, as a way to try a diplomatic breakthrough in the direction of ending the conflict. However Ukrainian leaders have instructed such diplomatic efforts are a type of ‘capitulation’.

As for Macron’s sluggish pivot away from pursuing a diplomatic offramp, the Related Press now describes: 

Macron has stated France hasn’t dominated out sending fighter jets however set situations, together with not resulting in an escalation of tensions or utilizing the plane “to the touch Russian soil,” and never leading to weakening “the capacities of the French military.”

As for Scholz, he was cited within the following on Wednesday:

He added that Paris would “proceed the efforts” to ship arms to Kyiv. Mr Scholz additionally assured the Ukrainian president of putting up with allied help.

“We are going to proceed to take action so long as essential,” he informed reporters, noting Germany and its companions had backed Ukraine “financially, with humanitarian assist and with weapons”. He added that Ukraine belongs to the European household.

⚡️Video exhibiting Zelensky assembly Macron and Scholz a couple of moments in the past. pic.twitter.com/65T0BmVfnQ

— Warfare Monitor (@WarMonitors) February 8, 2023

The US and UK too have these days signaled no choices are off the desk at this level. UK leaders took it additional on Wednesday in saying Ukraine would possibly anticipate Hurricane fighter jets within the longer-term.

After Paris, Zelensky is anticipated in Brussels on Thursday, the place he’ll proceed pushing for Ukraine to be fast-tracked into EU membership.