News Feed

Zelensky, French foreign minister discuss joint drone production

1 min read
Zelensky, French foreign minister discuss joint drone production
French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv on Jan. 13, 2024. (Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images)

President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address on Jan. 13 that he discussed Ukraine's defense needs in his meeting with newly-appointed French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné.

Zelensky said they discussed joint production of drones and artillery and further strengthening of missile defense systems.

Séjourné, appointed as the French foreign minister on Jan. 11, made his inaugural trip abroad when he arrived in Kyiv on Jan. 13.

"It is very symbolic that the minister's first visit is to Ukraine and precisely at a time when Russia is trying various ways to increase attacks on Ukraine and bypass our missile defense systems," Zelensky said.

Zelensky and Séjourné also discussed Ukraine's progress on its proposed Peace Formula, according to the president.

France is set to host an "artillery coalition" conference in Paris later in January to strengthen the Ukrainian military.

France has provided Ukraine with military aid worth 3.2 billion euros ($3.5 billion), according to a report from the French parliament published in November 2023.

Video thumbnail
Avatar
The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

Read more
News Feed

The project would involve Romanian investment in a local factory, likely in Brasov, where Ukrainian and Romanian teams would collaborate on manufacturing drones based on Ukrainian designs developed through wartime experience.

Show More