French President Emmanuel Macron and Czech President Petr Pavel have agreed to send support to Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression. They emphasized the need for Europe to play a bigger role in helping Ukraine succeed. However, they ruled out deploying combat troops in Ukraine, despite earlier comments by Macron suggesting otherwise.
During Macron’s visit to Prague, the leaders discussed various forms of assistance for Ukraine, including potential training for Ukrainian soldiers in their home country. The Czech Republic also announced plans to acquire artillery ammunition to send to Ukraine, with support from other European countries.
In addition to their support for Ukraine, Macron and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala signed a strategic partnership action plan to boost cooperation in various fields, including nuclear energy. Both countries heavily rely on nuclear energy, with the Czech Republic looking to build up to four new reactors by 2036.
During Macron’s visit, the Czech power company CEZ signed a contract with France’s Orano for uranium enrichment, aiming to reduce the country’s dependence on Russia for nuclear fuel. This deal will help fuel the Dukovany nuclear power plant, with another French company, Framatome, also providing fuel supplies for another Czech nuclear plant.
The partnership between France and the Czech Republic not only demonstrates support for Ukraine but also strengthens cooperation in key sectors such as nuclear energy, defense, transport, science, and culture. This collaboration aims to enhance security and stability in the region while reducing reliance on external energy sources.
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