Emmanuel Macron met with Vladimir Zelensky in Kiev

The two presidents canvassed the situation in eastern Ukraine and agreed on a number of issues, including financial assistance to Ukraine. Prior to his arrival in Kiev, Macron had held talks with Putin in Moscow for over five hours.

Opening the meeting, Zelensky said it was the French president's first visit in 24 years and that the issue of peace in eastern Ukraine was the centerpiece of the negotiation.

Moreover, the President of Ukraine announced that a number of cooperation agreements had been reached with Macron. In addition to providing financial assistance, French companies are helping Ukraine reform its defense sector, and Ukrainian railways are purchasing new locomotives from France.

Macron called on the parties to remain calm in word and deed. He noted that after talks with Putin and Zelensky, talks on the situation in Ukraine could move forward, and that there were concrete, practical solutions to ease tensions between Russia and the West.