Zelenskyy tells Macron Ukrainian forces held all key defensive lines this winter, urges Europe to deliver on €90 bn promise

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed French President Emmanuel Macron on Ukraine's war effort on 7 March, reporting a successful winter defensive campaign and pressing for two European commitments that remain blocked by Hungary, according to Zelenskyy on Telegram.

Winter results in war. Hungary-blocked EU loan

Zelenskyy opened by reporting on Russia's large-scale strike overnight on 6-7 March and frontline developments more broadly. Ukrainian forces had achieved what he called "tangible results" through the winter campaign and held all key defensive directions, he said.

He then turned to European obligations. Zelenskyy stressed the importance of implementing the joint European agreement on €90 billion in support for Ukraine over the next two years, and of pushing through a new sanctions package against Russia.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó declared both the loan and the EU's 20th sanctions package — which targets Russia's shadow fleet and energy revenues — frozen until Ukraine restores Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline, damaged by a Russian air attack on 27 January. 

Ukraine's Shahed expertise as security architecture

Zelenskyy and Macron also discussed the Middle East and the Gulf, covering the situation around Iran and its prospects. Macron supported Ukraine's work toward greater regional security, Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine's defense against Shahed drones is "the most experienced" in the world, Zelenskyy said — and Ukrainian experience could serve as one of the foundations of renewed and more effective collective security with all partners.

On 1 March, Zelenskyy argued that even countries with more advanced air defense systems had failed to stop every incoming drone, calling Ukraine's expertise "largely irreplaceable." Days later, he proposed trading that interception knowledge for Gulf states' diplomatic pressure on Moscow for a ceasefire. Three Gulf states have since approached Ukrainian drone manufacturer TAF Industries with purchase requests — the UAE for 5,000 interceptor units, Qatar for 2,000.