French president says Europe will ‘stand firm’ in support of Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of an informal European Council meeting in the Greek Cypriot Administration, reaffirming continued European support for Ukraine.

“Pleased to meet with President @ZelenskyUA again on the sidelines of the informal European Council,” Macron said on the US social media company X’s platform.

He welcomed the release of a European loan for Ukraine, calling it “a very strong signal” of continued support.

Macron also referred to an agreement reached on a 20th package of sanctions, saying it sends “a clear message to Russia.”

He added that discussions covered defense cooperation, the need to further increase pressure on Russia’s war economy and “on the work we are carrying out as part of the Coalition of the Willing.”

“Our support will not weaken, either today or tomorrow. Europe keeps its promises, and it will stand firm,” he added.

The European Union on Thursday agreed on a €90 billion ($105 billion) loan package for Ukraine and adopted its 20th round of sanctions against Russia after Hungary dropped its opposition, according to European Council President Antonio Costa.