Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday as he seeks to revive talks on ending the war in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s visit comes as the US-Israeli conflict with Iran diverts military and diplomatic attention and resources from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its fourth year.
A French presidency official said the visit’s main message is that no crisis will divert attention from Ukraine, which remains a major security priority, and that French support will not waver.
Talks between Zelenskyy and Macron are expected to focus on increasing pressure on Moscow by targeting its so-called “shadow fleet” of ageing tankers used to move oil in breach of sanctions, the French presidency said.
How has the Iran war affected Ukraine?
The Iran war, now approaching its second week, has disrupted efforts to move toward peace in Ukraine. Some planned talks were to be held in Abu Dhabi, which has been repeatedly targeted by Iranian strikes.
Iranian attacks on Gulf states and Tehran’s attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz have pushed oil prices sharply higher, with Brent crude near $100 a barrel. In response, the US announced a 30-day window to allow the sale of sanctioned Russian oil currently at sea to ease the impact of the price surge.
That temporary easing drew sharp criticism from Ukraine and some European allies, who argue petrochemical exports are a main source of revenue for Russia. Macron emphasized France’s opposition to lifting Russian sanctions, saying the G7 position is to maintain them and the current situation does not justify lifting restrictions.
Zelenskyy also criticized the US decision, saying the limited exemption could provide Russia with roughly $10 billion for the war and would not help achieve peace.
How could Iran’s strikes on Gulf states impact the war in Ukraine?
Gulf states defending against Iranian drone and missile attacks need air-defense weapons urgently, which risks depleting their stocks and creating a global shortfall. Zelenskyy warned this could affect Ukraine’s critical shortage of air-defense missiles, claiming—without providing a source—that Gulf countries used in a few days more PAC-3 missiles than Kyiv has received from the US over four years.
Zelenskyy has sought to turn the situation into an opening by offering Ukrainian drone-interception technology to Gulf states in exchange for air-defense missiles. He also hopes closer ties with Russia-friendly Gulf countries might give them leverage over Moscow.
Russian strike in eastern Ukraine kills 3
On Friday, three people were killed when a Russian strike hit a bus near the embattled town of Kupiansk in eastern Ukraine. The bus near Nova Oleksandrivka was struck by an Iskander missile, local investigators said, releasing an image showing a red bus with shattered windows.
Authorities said the three fatalities were the driver and two passengers; four others were wounded and private houses were damaged. The General Prosecutor’s office reported the casualties. The Kremlin did not immediately comment; it maintains its forces do not target civilians.
Edited by: Wesley Rahn