Prime Minister discusses bilateral trade development, recovery and strengthening sanctions against russia with French Minister of Economy and Finance
In Paris, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal held a meeting with France’s Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, Eric Lombard.
Key topics discussed included the development of bilateral trade and Ukraine’s recovery.
“Continued support from France in financing infrastructure projects remains critically important for us,” the Head of the Ukrainian Government stated, expressing gratitude to French regions and businesses for their involvement in rebuilding Ukrainian cities.
The meeting also addressed the strengthening of sanctions against russia. Denys Shmyhal highlighted the importance of adopting the EU’s 17th sanctions package, which significantly expanded restrictions on russia’s “shadow fleet,” military-industrial complex, and other economic sectors that continued to fund aggression.
“It is crucial to further intensify sanctions pressure, particularly by expanding restrictions on key sectors of the russian economy that remain insufficiently targeted: nuclear energy, the financial sector, metallurgy, the chemical industry, and raw material exports,” the Prime Minister emphasised.
According to him, the use of frozen russian assets for Ukraine’s recovery is equally significant. Denys Shmyhal thanked the G7 for supporting this initiative and stressed that the ultimate goal is the full confiscation of these funds and their allocation for Ukraine’s benefit.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to France for its comprehensive support of Ukraine.
“We look forward to further implementing joint initiatives aimed at Ukraine’s recovery and economic growth,” Denys Shmyhal noted.