Macron and Scholz assure Zelensky that military assistance to Ukraine will continue

PARIS. Feb 9 (Interfax) - French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz assured Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky of continued military assistance as they met him at the Elysee Palace in Paris late on February 8.

Macron said that he and Scholz wanted to jointly express "solidarity and support for Ukraine and reaffirm the trust that unites them with this country."

"There is a need for us to continue, to adapt and adjust the necessary military support," he said.

"In addition to the fact that in recent weeks we have started new deliveries of defensive equipment, we will continue this effort and tonight will discuss together the immediate needs of Ukraine. We will always act in full coordination with our partners and allies," the French president said.

Scholz, in turn, emphasized the military support being provided to Ukraine by Germany and its partners. He mentioned heavy artillery weapons, air defense systems and the recent decision to supply tanks.

"We will continue to do so in the future as long as it takes," the German chancellor said.

The speeches at the Elysee Palace were broadcast by French media.

On Thursday, Zelensky will visit Brussels, where a European Union summit will convene with the situation in Ukraine at the top of its agenda. The European Council declined to officially confirm Zelensky's visit, but the Ukrainian president himself announced it on Wednesday evening. The parties will also discuss military assistance to Kiev. A high-ranking EU official told reporters that the EU heads of state and heads of government will exchange views on Zelensky's request to supply Western fighter jets to the Ukrainian Air Force.