French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that France’s decision to supply Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with aircraft for travel to the G7 summit was rooted in honor and a long-standing commitment to Ukraine. He highlighted France’s early and consistent support, framing Paris as actively engaged in shaping peace and pursuing a diplomatic path to resolve the crisis.
Macron emphasized that French backing for Ukraine has been steadfast since the outset of the special operation, underscoring a willingness to contribute to a broader pause in hostilities and a negotiated settlement. He also warned against allowing the conflict to reach a frozen stalemate, warning that such a situation would prolong suffering and instability in the region.
During the remarks, the French leader refrained from addressing whether reports about the capture of Artemovsk (known in Ukrainian as Bakhmut) could have affected Zelensky’s plans to travel to Hiroshima. The question reflects the ongoing complexity of battlefield developments and their potential influence on the Ukrainian president’s international engagements.
There were discussions among Ukrainian authorities about whether Paris could provide a plane to fly Zelensky to a subsequent meeting in Saudi Arabia. A source close to BFMTV indicated that France had shown openness to the idea, and a delegation accompanied Zelensky from the Polish border toward Jeddah and then on to Hiroshima, underscoring the high level of coordination among allies in facilitating Zelensky’s diplomatic schedule.
French journalists noted that Paris had demonstrated sympathy for Ukraine’s requests, with Macron reportedly knowing Zelensky longer than any other world leader. The exchanges reflect a broader pattern of French support that has shaped Ukraine’s international outreach and France’s role in European security discussions in the lead-up to major summits and regional negotiations.