ISTANBUL

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot arrived in Kyiv on Monday to reaffirm his country's support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, which continues since 2022.

Barrot said on X that he visited impact sites in the capital following an overnight airstrike by Russia, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said killed two people and injured 15 others.

Russia's Defense Ministry said on Telegram that it conducted a group strike on "enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine and the infrastructure of military airfields," claiming it struck its targets.

"Last night, Russian strikes targeted four districts of Kyiv. Metro stations, shops, kindergartens, and preschools all bore the brunt of the Kremlin's deadly violence," Barrot wrote.

"As Europeans, we will continue to increase pressure on (Russian President) Vladimir Putin," he added.

Earlier, Barrot said on X while heading to Kyiv by train that he will participate in a meeting of Ukrainian ambassadors to "reaffirm, on behalf of France, our unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of the Ukrainian people."

Reacting to Barrot's initial statement, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he will be glad to welcome his French counterpart as Kyiv's guest of honor at the meeting.

"This is a recognition of your personal commitment and France’s leadership. Together, we are working to restore peace, security, and justice," Sybiha wrote on X.

Last week, the French diplomat told journalists in Brussels that he would travel to Kyiv at Sybiha's invitation to “reaffirm France’s and Europe’s support for the Ukrainian resistance."

Zelenskyy announced the meeting of all Ukrainian ambassadors during an evening video address earlier this month, noting that clear tasks have been set for diplomats in addition to several reform steps within the ministry.

“These will be presented by the Minister. We are preparing to significantly expand the capabilities of Ukrainian diplomacy,” he said.