French foreign minister heads to Kyiv to reaffirm Paris' support for Ukraine

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot is heading to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Monday to reaffirm Paris’ support for the war-torn country amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, now in its fourth year.

“I am traveling to Kyiv. I will participate in the conference of ambassadors and reaffirm, on behalf of France, our unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of the Ukrainian people,” Barrot said in a statement on X, while heading to the Ukrainian capital by train.

Reacting to Barrot's statement, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said he will be glad to welcome his French counterpart as Kyiv's guest of honor at the conference.

"This is a recognition of your personal commitment and France’s leadership. Together, we are working to restore peace, security, and justice," Sybiha wrote on X.

Last week, the French foreign minister told journalists in Brussels that he would travel to Kyiv at Sybiha's invitation to “reaffirm France’s and Europe’s support for the Ukrainian resistance."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the meeting of all Ukrainian ambassadors during an evening video address earlier this month, noting that clear tasks have been set for diplomats in addition to several reform steps within the ministry.

“These will be presented by the Minister. We are preparing to significantly expand the capabilities of Ukrainian diplomacy,” he noted.