Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with President of France, Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, September 3, 2023.

Zelenskyy and Macron discussed a sea corridor set up by Kyiv for safe navigation of ships after Moscow suspended its participation in a landmark grain deal, the Black Sea Grain agreement.

This week, Ukraine disclosed that four more ships had gone through its temporary maritime corridor in the Black Sea, which it had set up last month to ensure safe navigation.

The phone call came on the eve of a meeting between Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, and Turkish leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who wants to revive the grain deal.

During the call, the two Presidents agreed on the importance of extending the “grain corridor” and agreed to deepen cooperation in protecting sea routes.

Zelenskyy also emphasized the urgent need to reinforce the security of the Odesa region.

“We also discussed ways to ensure the functioning of the grain corridor and enhance the security of the Odesa region,” Zelenskyy stated on social media after the phone call with Macron.

Zelenskyy thanked France for its strong support in defense and constant expansion of the capabilities of the Ukrainian army.

“I always appreciate the clear position of France on the timing and scope of defense support. I also appreciate your constant efforts to intensify the support of our partners,” he said.

Also, The Ukrainian President informed his French counterpart in detail about the situation on the frontline, particularly on the Kupyansk, Eastern and Southern directions.

He conveyed the defense needs of the Ukrainian army for the further de-occupation of the territory of Ukraine to Macron as two leaders discussed the continuation of defense cooperation.

Additionally, the two leaders agreed on the participation of France and private French companies in the Defense Industries Forum to be held in Ukraine this fall.

Moreover, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine. He and Macron decided to start bilateral negotiations between Ukraine and France and gave appropriate instructions to the teams.

Furthermore, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the French Republic for its leadership in the implementation of the Peace Formula in the area of radiation and nuclear security.

The leaders also discussed the modalities of holding the Global Peace Summit with the widest possible range of participants, including the countries of the Global South.

Russia Hits Ukrainian Port On Danube River

Also on Sunday, the Russian army hit the Ukrainian port of Reni on the Danube River, on the border with NATO member, Romania, with drone strikes.

“Today at night, the Russian army carried out a group drone strike on fuel storage facilities used to supply military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the port of Reni, in the Odesa region,” the Russian army disclosed.

“All designated targets were hit,” the army added.

In a statement, Romania’s Ministry of National Defence condemned repeated Russian attacks on Ukraine’s Danube port infrastructure close to its border as “unjustified.”

The ministry “reiterates in the strongest terms that these attacks against civilian targets and infrastructure in Ukraine are unjustified and in deep contradiction with the rules of international humanitarian law,” the statement noted.

“At no time did the means of attack used by the Russian Federation generate any direct military threat to the national territory or territorial waters of Romania,” it added.

Moldova’s President, Maia Sandu, also condemned the Russian drone attack.

“I strongly condemn Russia’s brutal attack on port infrastructure in Odesa region. Russia must be held accountable for every piece of infrastructure destroyed. My thoughts are with all those affected. Moldova stands firmly with Ukraine.”
Maia Sandu