After the French National Assembly on Tuesday, the Senate on Wednesday approved a security agreement between France and Ukraine, despite some reservations from the upper house, where the presidential camp is in a minority, AFP reported.

The senators voted by 293 votes “for” and 22 “against” for France’s strategy to support Kyiv in the optional vote.

In a semi-circle with no elected representatives from La France insoumise (LFI, far left) and only three from the National Assembly (RN, far right), Prime Minister Gabriel Attal’s announcement did not spark as lively a debate as those in the Assembly, where the RN abstained , and LFI voted against.

“Turning away from Ukraine would mean turning away from our values, betraying the trust of our allies, demonstrating weakness,” Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said at the opening of the debate, reminding that the war is going through a critical moment, in the presence of Ukraine’s ambassador to France, approved by senators .

In particular, the controversial statements of the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron regarding the hypothesis of the introduction of Western troops were at the center of the speeches.

“These changing statements, these complete U-turns have led to the isolation of France, division and embarrassment of our allies,” said the leader of the Republicans in the Senate, Bruno Retailo, who also warned about the hypothesis of Ukraine joining the European Union. Union and NATO, which “challenged” him. “Our vote is a vote of support for Ukraine, and in no case support for the authorities,” he added.

For his part, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal supported the government’s line: “We do not put any restrictions on Russia, which does not set limits,” he said.

The ten-year agreement with Ukraine provides for the strengthening of military cooperation, especially in the field of artillery and air defense.

President Emmanuel Macron will speak on television about Ukraine on Thursday evening.

(Agerpress)