the population is “demonstrating truly extraordinary resilience”, notes the French ambassador to Ukraine

Several Ukrainian cities, including the capital, were hit by Russian strikes on Tuesday. From now on, “the objective is to produce more weapons in Ukraine, rather than proceeding solely through donations or purchases,” notes the French ambassador to Ukraine.

The intensification of Russian strikes in Ukraine in recent days, “is not a change of nature [de la guerre]unfortunately this reminds us of the reality of what this conflict is.”, notes Tuesday January 2 on franceinfo Gaël Veyssière, French ambassador to Ukraine. Violent explosions were heard again on Tuesday morning in several cities, including kyiv. Vladimir Putin announced on Monday January 1 the intensification of his strikes, while Volodymyr Zelensky, in his wishes, promised to “ravage” Russian forces.

franceinfo: Have you heard from your embassy teams, even though the night was particularly difficult?

Gaël Veyssière: Yes, of course, they are still in the shelters. There have been several bursts of attacks since 2:30 a.m., which have been spread out regularly. The population, like the embassy, ​​is sheltering and there could be another wave of missiles arriving in the cities soon. kyiv is naturally not the only city affected, many other large cities are affected. As you said, there have been a mass of attacks in recent days. The 29th [décembre], it was almost a record for the number of missiles fired. The 31st [décembre]it was a record for the duration of drone strikes, and on January 2, again major strikes.

Is something changing? Is Russian strategy evolving?

Ukrainians are showing truly extraordinary resilience. Russian terror, and that of Vladimir Putin, are well known in Ukraine. People are holding on, people are standing up, people are determined. It’s not a change in nature, unfortunately, it reminds us of the reality of what this conflict is and it also puts things into perspective. Know who is the victim and who is the executioner. Who is the aggressor, who is the attacked. And it also allows us to see the reality of things.

In return, Volodymyr Zelensky also made vehement remarks. He promised to “ravage” Russian forces, launched a deadly attack in Russia on the city of Belgorod. Does he have the means to achieve his ambitions?

The Ukrainians are defending themselves, and are doing so in accordance with the United Nations charter, all parties must respect international humanitarian law.

“We must not put the two belligerents on the same footing, there is a victim and there is an executioner.”

Gaël Veyssière, French ambassador to Ukraine

at franceinfo

Afterwards, does he have the means? Ukraine has the means, it is developing the means. She clearly hasn’t had enough yet, which is what she’s trying to do. President Zelensky announced that Ukraine would produce one million Ukrainian drones in 2024. And besides, Ukraine is not alone. It is helped by friendly and partner countries who help it equip itself with military equipment.

But have we sensed Ukrainian fear of seeing this Western support fade in recent weeks?

There is a Ukrainian fear, obviously, which is due in particular to the difficulties in getting certain support packages adopted. We hope to get out of this phase. For the European Union, there was still a very strong signal sent by the European Council on December 14, with the decision in principle to open accession negotiations with Ukraine. And then, as you know, there will be an extraordinary European Council at the beginning of February for financial issues supporting Ukraine.

You were talking about drones, it is the sinews of war today. Are European and French deliveries continuing?

French support in the supply of military equipment, naturally, continues. It will gradually change its nature since the objective is to produce more weapons in Ukraine, rather than proceeding solely through donations or purchases. But naturally, it takes a little time to switch from one strategy to another. And moreover, there is political support for this vision, which is ensured in particular by Catherine Colonna [ministre des Affaires étrangères]who regularly visits Ukraine, having already made five visits to Ukraine.

Will there be others? Does Emmanuel Macron plan to visit Volodymyr Zelensky? Is the Ukrainian president planning to go through Paris?

For the moment, we are working on a sixth visit from Catherine Colonna in the coming days again, I cannot yet announce the date, but in the coming days. And of course, we are also working on other tours.

“What is very important is to mark the closeness and solidarity of France on a daily basis.”

Gaël Veyssière, French ambassador to Ukraine

at franceinfo

It is also essential to work with the Ukrainians on how we can support them, then prepare for international events, in particular the European Council that I was talking about.

There are also electoral deadlines this year, and this will undoubtedly be crucial. European elections in June, American elections in particular in November. Will the future of kyiv be played out in a certain way in Strasbourg and Washington?

The future of a country always depends on itself. And basically, we may forget it, but during the first hours of the Russian attack on February 24, 2022, Ukraine was alone, by definition, and did not yet have the international support from which it benefited. , and she was able to hold on. So the future of Ukraine is firstly decided in Ukraine. But obviously the partners have a role to play and as far as we are concerned, we are determined to continue to support Ukraine, and I think that is obviously of course the opinion of our partners.

kyiv’s fear is to see Donald Trump return to power from the White House, because he gets along well with Vladimir Putin, to see the right or the extreme right take more space in the European Parliament. Is 2024 decisive?

The year 2024 is important. Obviously, there are political deadlines, but also because this is the year when arms production in Ukraine must increase and when Ukraine must be able, increasingly, to count on its own resources, produced on his territory. It is this shift which is important and which makes this year strategic. But today, of course, what matters and the absolute key to everything is the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people, and I can tell you that it is there.