France, Germany, and Poland leaders meet to discuss support for Ukraine's counteroffensive

The focal points of the discussion were centered around extending military support for Ukraine's ongoing counteroffensive and devising future security guarantees for the country ahead of the upcoming NATO summit scheduled for July.

During a press conference held after the meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron revealed that the Ukrainian counteroffensive had been initiated several days ago, signaling a determined effort to push back against Russian aggression. Macron, alongside his Polish and German counterparts, reiterated their unwavering commitment to assisting Ukraine for as long as it takes to achieve stability and security in the region.

Macron stressed that the counteroffensive would unfold gradually over the course of weeks, if not months, and pledged that France would continue to supply weapons, ammunition, and armored vehicles in the following days and weeks. The objective is to bolster the success of Ukraine's military operations and establish favorable conditions for future negotiations with Russia, ultimately aiming to bring about a peaceful resolution.

Polish President Duda, who held a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the previous evening, expressed optimism and belief in the success of the counteroffensive. Duda perceived it as a critical step towards liberating all occupied territories from Russian military forces, reiterating the united front of the three nations in supporting Ukraine's efforts.

While discussions revolved around long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, specific details were not disclosed by the leaders. Instead, they appealed directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to acknowledge the failure of his strategy and put an end to the prolonged conflict, which has caused significant loss of life, countless injuries, and forced millions into displacement. The leaders called for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops and a sincere commitment to meaningful peace talks to establish a just and lasting resolution.

As the meeting concluded, the leaders conveyed a unified message, emphasizing the urgency for Putin to recognize the gravity of the situation and work towards a fair and peaceful resolution that would bring an end to the devastating consequences of the conflict. (ILKHA)