Barrot warned that a Russian victory in Ukraine would cause “chaos” within the international system during his visit to Kyiv, on October 19. Barrot made his comments as Russian forces continued to advance in Ukraine’s eastern region, including the capture early in October of the important town of Vuhledar. Barrot’s visit aimed to reaffirm France‘s strong support for Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky unveiled his victory plan against Russia. The plan calls for greater Western military support. Barrot, standing next to Andrii Sybiha, said: “A Russian win would enshrine the law of the strong and bring the international order into chaos.” Barrot responded, “We are in support of Zelensky’s victory plan as we have been with Ukraine for over 1,000 days.” Barrot, however, referred to a more general “peace plan” in his rest of remarks as a way to end war without specifying Agence France-Presse’s official position on Zelensky’s detailed proposals. Zelensky thanked France for its support of the victory plan after meeting Barrot. He said that the support could “bring true diplomacy and a peaceful peace closer.” In his evening speech, Zelensky described the meeting as “exactly” what was needed. The core of Zelensky’s plan includes a direct invitation for Ukraine’s membership in NATO. Barrot said that Paris is “open” about discussing this position with other members of the alliance. The plan rejects territorial concessions, and urges allies not to restrict the use of long-range weapons supplied to Ukraine to military targets in Russia.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com