The invitation addressed to French President Emmanuel Macron to go to Kiev is “
still valid
” and Ukrainian officials hope that it will take place soon, Ukrainian Ambassador to France Omelchenko Vadym said on Tuesday (February 21st).
Asked on RTL radio about the fact that US President Joe Biden went to Kiev and not the French President, the diplomat stressed that "
of course
" the invitation had been sent.
Symbol on the first anniversary of the war
“
Unfortunately, he couldn't come
,” he continued, adding that this invitation was “
still valid
”.
“
We hope that this visit will take place eventually in March
,” he also said.
On the occasion of the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wished to receive the visit of the French Head of State, as a symbol of the support of the Ukrainian people and a signal to Moscow.
Emmanuel Macron, who went to Kiev in June for the first time since the start of the conflict, wants to return there with concrete announcements, according to French diplomatic sources.
The Ukrainian ambassador praised
France's "
unprecedented level of support " since the start of the war.
"
And I really hope that France will continue to provide support
," he added.
Read alsoSébastien Lecornu and Thomas Gomart: "France facing the new post-war order in Ukraine"
On the other hand, he did not comment on Emmanuel Macron's recent remarks on the aid provided for a "
defeat
" of Russia without however "
crushing
" it.
“
We are not looking to destroy anyone
,” simply commented Omelchenko Vadym.
"
We seek to defend our freedom and our independence
", he continued, assuring that the goal was "
not to cross the border of Russia and go to Moscow
".
"
We don't need it
," he said.
Finally, he noted that Vladimir Putin was inflicting on his people and his country “
damage that no one had ever done before
”.
“
They will destroy themselves
,” he concluded.