Emmanuel Macron backs Volodimir Zelenski ahead of NATO summit
In a telephone conversation on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his support for his Ukrainian counterpart Volodimir Zelenski, who is calling for clear commitments from NATO at the upcoming NATO summit on July 11 and 12, according to Hotnews.ro.
"The President of the Republic reiterated his wish that this summit will allow progress to be made in terms of ties between Ukraine and NATO and also be an opportunity for allies to provide Ukraine with sustainable security support," Elysée stressed.
Volodimir Zelenski is asking the Alliance for "concrete" elements on the prospect of membership once the war triggered by the Russian invasion of his country is over. The allies are still seeking a common line on the security guarantees they are willing to give Kiev and on inviting Ukraine to eventually join NATO.
At the Vilnius summit, NATO hopes to hold the first meeting of the new NATO-Ukraine Council with Volodimir Zelenski, although Ukraine is not expected to join the Alliance immediately.
Emmanuel Macron also spoke of the "situation at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant" occupied by "Russian forces", while his counterpart is concerned about "dangerous provocations" from Moscow. The two presidents also reviewed the military situation in Ukraine and France's military aid, according to the Elysée Palace.
