According to Emmanuel Macron, the presence of the Ukrainian president at the summit constitutes “a unique opportunity” to exchange with his allies, but also to plead the cause of Ukraine against the Russian invasion with the leaders of the countries of the South present.
Volodymyr Zelensky, in the midst of a diplomatic offensive, receives the support of Emmanuel Macron. Guest of the G7 summit, the Ukrainian president arrived in Hiroshima, Japan, on Saturday May 20, aboard an official French plane. According to an Elysian source at France Télévisions, it was kyiv who sought help from Paris on Wednesday. The Ukrainian presidency asked France to ensure Thursday the displacement of the head of state from the Polish border to Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia, where the summit of the Arab League was held, before joining Japan, according to the ‘Elysium.
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On the occasion of this short diplomatic tour mobilizing French logistical aid, Volodymyr Zelensky and his advisers were accompanied by the diplomat Isabelle Dumont, former ambassador to kyiv and thus strong in a long-standing relationship with the Ukrainian head of state, said the same source.
“France is on the side of Volodymyr Zelensky, is on the side of Ukraine, and therefore favors all the diplomatic actions that help the Ukrainians”abounded the deputy Renaissance Sylvain Maillard, guest of franceinfo. “It’s a pride” for France to be “originally” of Volodymyr Zelensky’s presence at the G7, he added.
France alongside Ukraine “to the end”
According to the Elysian source, Volodymyr Zelensky chose to go to France because of the longevity of the relationship he has with Emmanuel Macron. The two heads of state met in Hiroshima on Saturday afternoon. The presence of the Ukrainian president at the G7 summit “can be a game changer” for Ukraine, declared the French president to his counterpart in the introduction of this bilateral meeting.
“It’s a unique opportunity” for Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss with his G7 allies, but also to plead the cause of Ukraine against the Russian invasion with the various leaders of the countries of the South invited to the summit, underlined Emmanuel Macron, also promising to the Ukrainian President that France would stand alongside Kiev “until the end”. “Thank you for your support”, replied the latter.
Volodymyr Zelensky chained bilateral meetings with G7 officials: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thus assured him that India would “everything possible” to settle the conflict in Ukraine. According to the French presidency, the Brazilian president, Lula, “showed great availability for dialogue” and also intends to meet with the Ukrainian President.