France becomes 18th nation to back Ukraine’s move toward NATO membership

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, signed a joint declaration, which was the eighteenth of its kind, expressing support for Ukraine, including its progress towards NATO membership.

This was announced by the deputy head of the Office of the President, Ihor Zhovkva, on Facebook following the results of Zelensky's visit to Paris.

"The Joint Declaration approved today with France made it possible to strengthen Ukraine's support in the Euro-Atlantic direction with another important voice. The very fact of concluding such a declaration with France and also with similar wording regarding NATO was simply impossible before. And today, France has become the 18th state, with which we have joint declarations regarding the movement towards NATO," he said.

Zhovkva explained that as part of Ukraine's move to NATO, France confirmed its "support for Ukraine on its way to the Euro-Atlantic family, including by promoting common interests in the security field. France and Ukraine look forward to resolving these issues at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July 2023".

He said that France once again expressed strong support for Ukraine on the way to EU membership, particularly in Ukraine's efforts regarding European integration reforms and the fulfillment of the necessary conditions to obtain a decision on the start of accession negotiations by the end of 2023.

Also, the deputy head of the Office of the President informed that in the document, the leaders once again called on Russia to immediately withdraw all its troops from the whole of Ukraine, particularly from the territory of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

In addition, he noted that a particular emphasis is placed on the military support that France has provided since the beginning of the war and will continue to deliver within the framework of new military packages, taking into account the urgent and urgent needs of Ukraine.

France also expressed its support for the Ukrainian peace formula; efforts to ensure accountability for Russia's crimes, in particular through the creation of a tribunal; increasing sanctions pressure on Russia; development of a compensation mechanism for losses due to Russian assets; participation in the restoration of Ukraine and the continuation of the Black Sea grain initiative and the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program.

Zhovkva noted that the meeting between Zelensky and Macron lasted approximately three hours, concluding past midnight on Monday local time.

He reported that the presidents spoke about the priority issues of military aid to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities and launch a counteroffensive, France's support for the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine.

" We have concluded yet another week of intense and productive work, and we shall not be abating our efforts in the weeks ahead as we plan for the successful hosting of the Vilnius NATO Summit in July," – emphasized the deputy head of the Office, of the Head of State.

The full text of the Declaration between Ukraine and France is published on the website of the President of Ukraine.

For reference:

Late in the evening of May 14, Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Paris. The President of Ukraine met the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, at the Elysee Palace.

Read also – France to supply Ukraine with armored vehicles and light tanks in coming weeks