Russia rejects unconditional ceasefire: key statements from Macron and Zelensky in Paris.

France will provide Ukraine with a new military aid package worth 2 billion euros.

This was stated by French President Emmanuel Macron during a joint press conference with Volodymyr Zelensky on March 26 in Paris.

According to Macron, the new package will include missiles for Mirage aircraft, MILAN anti-tank missiles, air defense systems, MICA missiles, ground defense missiles Mistral, AMX-10RC armored vehicles, as well as ammunition, including remotely controlled ones. In addition, investments in the production of equipment in Ukraine in cooperation with European defense companies are planned.

'We are at a decisive stage in ending Russia's aggressive war. We will not leave Ukraine alone. We support this ceasefire at sea and in the air. And we see that Russia has not agreed to it and its actions confirm that it continues to wage war,' emphasized the French president.

Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that the Mirage-2000 planes provided by France are already being used in the Ukrainian air defense shield and are helping to protect against, primarily, 'shaheds' and other strike drones.

'We discussed with the French president that we will increase the number of 'Mirages,' noted the Ukrainian leader.

Particular attention was paid by the presidents to the issue of a ceasefire in the Black Sea. According to Zelensky, Moscow is trying to include additional conditions in the agreement that does not provide for any preconditions.

'Technical issues remain, mainly monitoring. Moscow is trying to introduce some additional conditions in the agreement that contains no preconditions. We hope that the American side will ensure the unconditional nature of silence at sea,' said the President of Ukraine.

Zelensky also reported that the issue of the contingent for monitoring a possible ceasefire will be discussed tomorrow. 'Our General Staffs communicated regarding the composition of the contingent, in which format, what composition, and so on. What they can and cannot do. Tomorrow there will be a large representation from many countries. I think the main issue will be who is ready to support this,' he noted.

Macron also supported the concept of 'peace through strength,' proposed by US President Donald Trump, but emphasized that this does not mean lifting sanctions on Russia. 'If tomorrow Russia says they completely return to the recognized international borders of Ukraine, the sanctions will be lifted,' emphasized the French president.