PARIS, Mar 13, (V7N) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday for talks aimed at intensifying pressure on Russia to end its four‑year invasion of Ukraine.

The visit comes amid concerns that the temporary lifting of Russian oil sanctions by the United States could benefit President Vladimir Putin, already bolstered by rising energy prices due to the Middle East war.

The French presidency said discussions would focus on targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of tankers used to transport oil in violation of sanctions. A joint press conference is expected later, marking Zelensky’s 12th visit to France since the full‑scale invasion in 2022.

On Thursday, the US announced it would allow the sale of Russian oil already at sea to cool global prices after US‑Israeli strikes on Iran sparked a regional war. The move drew criticism from European leaders. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said easing sanctions was “wrong,” while Macron stressed that relaxing measures against Moscow was “in no way justified.”

The Kremlin dismissed the Paris meeting, calling attempts to pressure Russia “absurd.”

Zelensky’s trip follows his visit to Romania, where he agreed to launch joint drone production and develop anti‑drone defense systems with European allies.

Meanwhile, the war continues to devastate Ukraine. A Russian strike near Kupiansk on Friday killed three civilians on a bus.

Zelensky’s Paris visit also coincides with Hungary blocking a €90‑billion EU loan to Ukraine and fresh sanctions on Russia, citing disputes over the Druzhba oil pipeline. Brussels has proposed a mission to inspect the pipeline, damaged in January by Russian strikes.

Earlier Friday, Macron announced the death of a French soldier in Iraq’s Kurdistan region in what was described as an Iranian drone attack. Zelensky condemned the strike as a “despicable attack” and urged Iran to halt aggression against neighboring countries.

END/WD/RH