President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine is planning to attend the D-Day commemoration in France and a G7 meeting in Italy in June to seek more military aid from Western partners. Due to the challenging situation on Ukraine’s front lines, Zelensky had previously canceled international events. If he visits France, he intends to urge partners to send more military support and to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine. Zelensky believes that Western partners fear Russia losing the war and would like Ukraine to win without Russia losing.
Zelensky has already reached out to countries like Poland, the U.S., and others to express Ukraine’s readiness to sign all necessary agreements to allow for the shooting down of Russian missiles over Ukrainian territory without holding those responsible for any consequences that may follow. He hopes to garner support for this measure during his visits to France and Italy. The symbolic significance of his presence at the D-Day anniversary event is expected to underscore the international solidarity behind Ukraine’s efforts.
During his visit to Italy, Zelensky plans to call on Western partners to seize Russian assets to help fund Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction. The EU Council has already agreed to use profits from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, potentially providing between 2.5 billion and 3 billion euros annually for the country’s military needs. Ukraine’s Western allies and partners froze around $300 billion in Russian assets at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, marking a commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defense.
The proposed actions and requests by Zelensky are aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian aggression. By seeking more military aid and support from Western partners, Zelensky hopes to bolster Ukraine’s position on the front lines and ensure its territorial integrity and security. The utilization of frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine demonstrates a tangible commitment to supporting the country in its defense efforts, highlighting the international community’s solidarity with Ukraine in the face of ongoing conflict.
Zelensky’s upcoming visits to France and Italy are seen as crucial opportunities to rally support for Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction efforts. The presence of Western leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, at the D-Day commemoration underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing security challenges. Zelensky’s diplomatic efforts to secure more military aid and leverage frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s benefit reflect a strategic approach to navigating the complexities of the conflict and advancing Ukraine’s interests on the global stage.
