France pledges increased support for Ukraine amid air strikes targeting Kyiv

By Busra Nur Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) – France on Monday pledged increased support for Ukraine, according to the Elysee.

President Emmanuel Macron spoke over the phone to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Russia launched multiple strikes on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other cities.

In a statement, Macron reaffirmed “France's commitment to increasing its support for Ukraine in response to the needs expressed by Kyiv, including in terms of military equipment."

Macron also voiced concern about the recent attacks and said he is in close contact with Zelenskyy and his European and G7 partners.

The death toll from the latest Russian attacks across Ukraine rose to 11 with 64 people wounded, according to Ukrainian authorities on Monday.

In a video message, Zelenskyy said Ukraine's energy facilities and people were Russia's two main targets. He reiterated his call for residents to stay in bomb shelters.

The building which houses the visa office of the German Embassy in Kyiv was also hit by Russian missiles, a German Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday.

According to reports, some parts of Ukraine are witnessing power outages and water supply cuts.