Key points
- Barrot to meet Zelensky, new PM Svyrydenko, and Sybiga
- Visit follows EU’s new sanctions on Russian oil
- Plans visit to Chernobyl after recent Russian attacks
ISLAMABAD: France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday arrived in Kyiv for a two-day visit aimed at supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion.
Barrot is expected to meet counterpart Andriy Sybiga, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and newly-nominated Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, according to AFP.
Je me rends à Kyiv. Je participerai à la conférence des ambassadeurs et réaffirmerai, au nom de la France, notre soutien indéfectible à la souveraineté, l’intégrité territoriale et la liberté du peuple Ukrainien.
🇫🇷🇪🇺🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/bPZj0h9gam
— Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) July 21, 2025
“In the wake of the unprecedented sanctions adopted by France and the European Union against Russia, the minister will take stock of France’s support for Ukraine,” the French foreign ministry said in a press release.
The EU on Friday adopted a sweeping new package of sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine war, lowering its price cap on Russian oil exported to third countries around the world to 15 per cent below market value.
Air raid alerts
Barrot arrived shortly after air raid alerts were lifted in Kyiv, at the end of another night of Russian attacks that killed at least one person in the capital.
I will be glad to welcome you in Ukraine, dear @jnbarrot, as our guest of honour at this year’s Ambassadors Conference. This is a recognition of your personal commitment and France’s leadership. Together, we are working to restore peace, security, and justice. https://t.co/J2leY00MgF
— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) July 21, 2025
“As Russian forces continue to carry out regular strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, threatening its security and that of the European continent, the minister will visit the Chernobyl nuclear power plant,” the French foreign ministry said.
France has contributed to help fix a radiation cover at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine, allegedly hit by a Russian drone in February, in an attack that did not result in any radiation being released.
Meanwhile, in Russia, major Ukrainian drone attacks sowed chaos at major airports serving Moscow on Monday, with thousands of passengers waiting in lines or sleeping on the floor after flights were cancelled or delayed, according to France 24.
