France to help Ukraine restore its territorial integrity, work on new sanctions

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that France will help Ukraine restore its territorial integrity and work with partners on new sanctions against the aggressor.

According to the Elysee Palace, Macron said this in a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrinform reports.

"The President of the Republic reiterated his firm condemnation of the illegal annexation by Russia of four Ukrainian regions. He reaffirmed France's determination to help Ukraine regain its full sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to work with its European partners on new sanctions," the statement read.

Both presidents also discussed the situation in Zaporizhzhia, which remains very worrying. Macron condemned the arrest of the plant's director by Russian troops.

"The two Presidents underlined the very short-term urgency of allowing the rotation of Ukrainian personnel who ensure the operation and safety of the facilities," the report said.

Macron also recalled his position on supporting Ukrainian sovereignty over the station and the demand to withdraw Russian troops from its territory.

On September 30, the Kremlin hosted a ceremony of the so-called "incorporation" into Russia of the puppet entities "DNR" and "LNR", as well as the territories of the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions of Ukraine seized by the Russian army, which caused widespread international outrage.

On Friday, September 30, the Russians detained the general director of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Ihor Murashov, and took him away.