War in Ukraine: “In almost 500 days, Russia has not achieved any of its objectives”, says Foreign Minister

Tuesday May 23, Catherine Colonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, was the guest of “4 Truths” on France 2. Returning to the recent tensions between France and Italy following Gérald Darmanin’s comments on Giorgia Meloni, she assured that France is not “certainly not” in a diplomatic crisis with Italy. She then announced that she will travel to Italy on Thursday, May 25, “at the invitation” of his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani.

“We must help Ukraine to defend itself”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs then returned to the war in Ukraine. “It’s been almost 500 days since Russia attacked Ukraine. And in almost 500 days, it’s a failure for them. They haven’t achieved any of their goals: Kiev has not fallen, Ukraine has not collapsed, the European Union has reacted with strength and unity, and Ukrainian forces are preparing to carry out a counter-offensive.”said Catherine Colonna. “We must help Ukraine to defend itself”she added.

While Joe Biden gave the green light to the delivery by Westerners of combat aircraft to Ukraine, including American F-16s, the minister was asked about a possible delivery of Rafale aircraft to the Ukrainians. “It would not make sense given their demands”she said, recalling that “Ukrainians want F-16s” and that France does not “does not have”.