The war in Ukraine continues to rage, with its share of tragedies and upheavals. In a recent development, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg traveled to kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. On this occasion, Stoltenberg declared that Ukraine was “closer to NATO than ever”, expressing the Alliance’s support for the Ukrainian nation in this conflict.
However, Russia does not intend to abandon its policy of intervention in Ukraine. Indeed, the country plans to increase its military spending by almost 70% in 2024, thus reaffirming its determination to continue this war. This decision raises many questions about the future of the conflict and the possibility of a peaceful resolution.
At the same time, the European Union extended by one year, until March 2025, the right of Ukrainian refugees to remain on its territory. The move aims to provide some stability to the more than four million people who have fled Ukraine and found refuge in the EU. It is also a show of support from the EU for the Ukrainian people, in the hope of contributing to a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
Another recent development concerns the explosion of a Ukrainian missile which claimed the lives of two Polish civilians in 2022. Poland confirmed that the investigation concluded that the missile was Ukrainian, thus ending speculation about a possible escalation of the conflict. This tragedy highlights the direct consequences of the war in Ukraine on neighboring countries, and once again reminds us of the urgency of finding a peaceful solution.
In this context, France seeks to anchor its support for Ukraine over the long term. Rather than limiting itself to the supply of military equipment, France wishes to establish industrial partnerships with Ukraine. This approach aims to ensure continued and sustainable support for Ukraine, given the likely prolongation of the war. French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, expressed the importance of this endurance in supporting Ukraine, emphasizing the need to remain reliable in our assistance to this country.
In summary, the war in Ukraine continues to claim lives and disrupt the region. Despite this, international support for Ukraine remains strong, with initiatives such as Jens Stoltenberg’s visit to kyiv and the EU’s extension of temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees. It remains to be hoped that these actions will contribute to a peaceful resolution of the conflict and the restoration of peace in Ukraine.