Zelenskyy discusses EU accession, France's defense support for Ukraine with Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron, on Thursday, held a telephonic conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy wherein he deliberated upon war-torn country’s quick accession to  European Union (EU). As Putin tries to salvage his war of attrition, both leers discussed situation on war front. Notably, it was Macron who last month h opined that it could take ‘deces' for Ukraine to be a part of EU and vised ministration to join a parallel bloc.

Meanwhile, during telephonic conversation, both leers discussed furr support for Ukraine. Macron, in particular, asked Zelenskyy about his needs in terms of military equipment, political and financial support and humanitarian aid. Later, French Presidency quoted Macron as saying that his country will remain mobilised to meet Ukraine's needs including heavy weapons.’ Both leers agreed to stay in touch as war continues to ravage eastern Europe. 

Paris has been constantly backing Kyiv in its resistance against Russian invasion. Earlier in April, Macron ministration said that it h delivered equipment and ammunition worth 100 million euros to Ukraine. weapon list encompassed anti-tank missiles and Caesar self-propelled howitzers. Notably, during Thursday's conversation,  both leers also discussed security guarantees for Ukraine. 

Epicentre of war 

Just a day before, embattled President Zelenskyy h said that Severodonetsk, a key city in Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region, was mostly under Russian control.  gruesome war has continued for four months with fighting around country's capital Kyiv intensifying in recent days. In his dress to his compatriots, Zelenskyy declared  city “epicentre” of war. Notably, under second phase of Russia’s Special Military Operation, Putin’s troops have shifted ir focus to what y call ‘liberation of Donbas.”   

"Severodonetsk remains epicentre of fighting in Donbas," said Zelensky, referring to region that comprises Luhansk and Donetsk. He furr said, “It is a very fierce battle, very difficult, probably one of hardest in course of this war.” Zelenskyy furr said that a dece ago Donetsk was a "strong, proud and developed" city. "And n Russia came. Brought ideas of just such an inequate level. And now it is a ghost town that has lost most people, thousands of lives and absolutely all prospects," he said. 

(File Image: ZelenskyyUa/Twitter)