UPDATE - France's Macron pledges another $132M in aid for Ukraine

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM MACRON, ADDS QUOTES FROM UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday pledged another €125 million ($132 million) in aid for Ukraine.

Speaking at a donor conference for Ukraine, Macron said that his country has already provided €151.5 million in assistance to Ukraine since the war between Moscow and Kyiv started in February.

Hailing Ukraine’s "bravery and determination," the French president said that the conference is "tangible evidence that Ukraine is not alone."

He said that Russia wants to break the resistance of the Ukrainian people by targeting civilian infrastructure, adding that those attacks constitute “war crimes.”

He announced an additional support package of €125 million – €48.5 million for humanitarian matters and €76.5 million for energy needs.

The French president said that a reinforced coordination mechanism for international aid to Ukraine will also be implemented.

"This mechanism, focused on emergency aid, complements the coordination of energy aid promoted by the US in the G-7 and the reconstruction mechanism that we made clear under Germany's G-7 presidency," Macron said.

Stressing the importance of Ukraine's reconstruction after the war, Macron said that an economic forum will be held this afternoon which will be attended by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and almost 700 companies.

Addressing the conference via video link, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that generators and uninterruptible power sources have now become as necessary in Ukraine as armored vehicles and bulletproof vests.

Zelenskyy further said that large-scale missile strikes have hit the country’s energy infrastructure and that most of Ukraine’s power plants are either damaged or destroyed.

Noting that Ukraine will have to use more gas this winter than expected, he said: "We need support and the purchase of about 2 billion cubic meters of gas. This is also a necessary element of our stability."

About 12 million Ukrainians are currently suffering from power outages caused by the attacks, Zelenskyy said, adding that around €800 million ($842,6 million) in emergency aid is needed for Ukraine's energy sector.

The Ukrainian prime minister attended the donor conference in person.

* Burc Eruygur contributed to this report