France has vowed its support for Ukraine’s plan to put an end to the Russian invasion, as reported by the French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot during his visit to Kyiv. He expressed commitment to working with Ukrainian officials to garner support from other nations for the proposal presented by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this week.
The plan, known as the “victory plan,” aims to compel Russia to cease its invasion through diplomatic negotiations. Ukraine’s Western allies play a crucial role in supporting Kyiv against its larger neighbour, with a pivotal aspect of the plan being a formal invitation to join NATO, a proposition that has been under consideration post the conflict resolution.
During a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Barrot emphasised the importance of uniting countries around Zelenskyy’s initiative to prevent a potential Russian victory that could disrupt the international order.
In a significant move, France has committed to delivering the first batch of Mirage 2000 combat jets to Ukraine by the first three months of 2025. French support for Ukraine has been robust since the 2022 invasion, with efforts spanning military, diplomatic and economic assistance. France is actively involved in training and equipping a new brigade of Ukrainian soldiers for frontline deployment.
Barrot’s visit coincided with a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, facilitated by the United Arab Emirates, resulting in the return of 95 Ukrainian prisoners of war, including 34 Azov fighters known for their defence of Mariupol and Azovstal steelworks. However, hundreds of Ukrainian captives remain in Russian custody.
The swap followed the repatriation of 501 fallen soldiers to Ukraine, marking one of the largest returns of war dead since the onset of the invasion. The escalating tensions also saw Russia intercepting 16 Ukrainian drones in regions bordering Ukraine.
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, the international community closely monitors developments in the region. Stay updated with the latest news on the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.