The image will go down in history.
That of Emmanuel Macron, the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and the Italian President of the Council (Prime Minister), Mario Draghi, in polo shirts, shirt sleeves or sweaters, gathered in the middle of the night in the living room of the French President's wagon to prepare the meeting in kyiv, their destination, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Supervised by their security services on their teeth, instructing the members of their delegations to leave the wagons towards a relief convoy in the event of a bombardment, the three men boarded in Poland in this special train chartered by Ukraine for a nine-hour night journey.
The visit of the leaders of the three main countries of the European Union, to which Ukraine wishes so much to join, is all the more symbolic as it was eagerly awaited and requested, many international leaders having already made the trip for a long time.
And that this trio is sometimes suspected of being too cautious in supporting the Ukrainian resistance against the Russian invader.
The German and the Italian because of their dependence on Russian gas—Rome having also risked proposing a peace plan deemed far too favorable to the Russians—the Frenchman because of his maintained and regular contact with Putin.
And his repeated calls to “not humiliate Russia”.
In short, this day was the day of the great explanation, of the great reconciliation.
VIDEO.
What to remember from Emmanuel Macron's press conference in kyiv
“When will people come back?
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Barely arrived at the kyiv station, the leaders rush to the Intercontinental hotel to change when the alarm sirens sound for the bombings.
“A first, a second, and so up to five”, testifies the AFP journalist responsible for informing her colleagues via a WhatsApp loop, the delegation being in reduced format for logistical reasons.
On the program, first, the visit of Irpin, a city affected by the war and the massacres of civilians.
“I want to show my admiration for the Ukrainian people,” Macron says in English, hand on heart, getting into his car.
Now four in number, because joined by the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, visitors are guided between gutted buildings and charred facades by a Ukrainian minister in uniform.
"We have assessed the damage and will begin reconstruction soon," he said.
“But when will people come back?
asks the Head of State.
And will they want it?
Suddenly, a slogan on a crumbling wall: “Make Europe not war
”
.
"That's the right message," greets Emmanuel Macron.
He will speak at the end of the visit of "heroic city", saluting "the heroism of the army but also of the population" and will denounce "war crimes".
Read alsoWar in Ukraine: "Macron's trip is important proof of support"
Comes the time for discussions with Volodymyr Zelensky, who welcomes his guests at the gates of the presidential palace, in a T-shirt and khaki fatigues.
Main subject on the menu, the response of the EU to its imperious request to join the “European family”.
In normal times, it is a long and complex process, the country having to adapt to European standards, in areas as varied as the fight against corruption, justice - which must be independent -, free economic movement, etc. .
A matter of years, even decades.
Dilemma of the Twenty-Seven, shared between the proponents of a facilitated membership - the countries of the East - and the Orthodox (Netherlands, Denmark, etc.), refusing to lower the criteria.
The quartet of leaders gratified Zelensky by saying they support "immediate candidate status for membership."
“It is a strong, rapid, long-awaited gesture of hope and clarity that we want to send to Ukraine and its people”, assures Macron.
The EU summit next week will have to confirm this, unanimously among members.
A diplomatic victory for Ukraine, even if it will take time to become a full member.
“A historic day”, rejoiced the Ukrainian president.
Delivery by France of six additional Caesar guns
Another strong announcement was the delivery by Paris of six additional Caesar guns, bringing the total supplied to the Ukrainian forces to 18 guns.
A considerable effort for the French army, which has 76 of these self-propelled guns, precious in the fighting in Donbass, and will not be able to replace them overnight.
In addition, France, already involved in investigations into war crimes perpetrated by the Russians, will soon provide a mobile DNA analysis laboratory.
Last part, the Four called on Russia to accept that the UN organize the export of cereals, which "requires accepting the lifting of the Russian blockade" in the ports of the Black Sea, such as Odessa.
"We must urgently create safe corridors for the transport of wheat, so that the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine does not turn into a global catastrophe", pleaded the Italian Draghi.