War in Ukraine: France announces “up to 3 billion euros” in additional aid to Ukraine in 2024

Meeting between Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysée on February 16, 2024. Alexis Sciard – IP3/MAXPPP

France and Ukraine signed a bilateral security agreement this Friday, February 16, 2024, on the occasion of the visit to Paris of Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky, received by Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée a few days before the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Volodimir Zelensky concluded a similar agreement a few hours earlier in Germany where he was received by Chancellor Olaf Scholz before participating in the Munich security conference on Saturday. He had already done the same in January with the United Kingdom.

Reaffirm support for Ukraine

Developed following a commitment made by the G7 countries last summer, the agreement signed in Paris, like that concluded in Berlin, essentially includes commitments in principle in terms of ;#39;military and civilian support and aims above all to reaffirm France's support for Ukraine at a time when the latter is experiencing difficulties on the front, while crucial military aid from States -United is delayed by political battles in the US Congress.

Rencontre aujourd'hui, entre Emmanuel Macron et Volodymyr Zelensky à Paris. Les chefs d'Etat signeront, officiellement, un accord de sécurité entre les 2 pays. La France, fer de lance de l'aide à l'Ukraine.

"L'Heure du choix" de @Solenn_Riou sur @LCI pic.twitter.com/NDAAwyjHpQ

— LCI (@LCI) February 16, 2024

France plans in particular to provide up to three billion euros in additional support to Ukraine in 2024.

Emmanuel Macron in Ukraine by mid-March

This agreement "inscribes not only our long-term support but also a collective approach and logic", declared Emmanuel Macron during a press conference at the Elysée alongside Volodimir Zelensky. The French president announced that he would visit Ukraine by mid-March.

Judging that "Ukrainians today are fighting not only for their freedom but for European security, for the solidity of liberal democracies and defense of international law", Emmanuel Macron assured his Ukrainian counterpart that the "determination (of France) is as strong as' on the first day" and that the French commitment to Ukraine "will not weaken".

Global Support

By this agreement, lasting 10 years and aiming, according to Emmanuel Macron, to fill a "empty"Until Ukraine's possible accession to NATO, France is committed to providing comprehensive assistance to Ukraine for protection and recovery of its territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, as well as for its economic recovery and reconstruction after the war.

She also promises to help prevent any future "aggression" from Russia . Finally, it intends to support Ukraine's efforts to join the European Union and a rapprochement with NATO. While American military aid is suspended by a vote in the House of Representatives in Washington, Volodimir Zelensky affirmed that the agreements with the Europeans were not &quot ;an alternative to the United States".

"We are all together"

"We are all together and this union is necessary to defeat Russia", he said. Before Paris, the Ukrainian president went to Berlin to sign a similar agreement with Germany. Speaking alongside Olaf Scholz during a press conference, he nevertheless expressed his "hope" to see the United States Congress finally give the green light to the $60 billion in aid requested by President Joe Biden.