(20 Mar 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brussels – 20 March 2025
1. French President Emmanuel Macron approaching reporters
2. Macron speaking
3. SOUNDBITE (French) Emmanuel Macron, French President:
"We’ll be holding the ‘coalition of the willing’ summit next Thursday in Paris, in the presence of President Zelenskyy. And we’re finalizing our work on short-term support for the Ukrainian army, on defending a sustainable model for the Ukrainian army to prevent Russian invasions, and on the security guarantees that European armies can provide."
4. Cutaway
5. SOUNDBITE (French) Emmanuel Macron, French President:
“What’s happening is that the European pillar of NATO is getting stronger. We have to take greater share in our own security, we have to take greater share in tomorrow’s security guarantees in Ukraine and we have to take more autonomy in our capabilities, the ways we are equipping ourselves. So that’s a step forward. But it’s not weakening NATO. I have always defended this idea. The European pillar of NATO is, at its core, simply a better burden-sharing and a recognition that Europeans must do more for themselves."
6. Cutaway
7. SOUNDBITE (French) Emmanuel Macron, French President:
"I wanted to express my joy at the return of our hostage from Iran and to thank all our diplomatic teams, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, our ambassador and his team in Tehran, as well as the crisis center. And I have a thought for them, for their family. At the same time, I want to say here that we continue to fight to secure the release of Madame Kohler and Mr. Paris. And I want to reaffirm here France’s commitment to their families."
8. Macron speaking
9. Macron leaving
STORYLINE:
French President Emmanuel Macron said a meeting of the “coalition of the willing” will take place next Thursday in Paris in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
EU leaders plan to discuss Ukraine’s security needs with Zelenskyy during the meeting about ramping up defense spending after the administration of US President Donald Trump signaled Europe must take care of its own security.
After an EU meeting in Brussels, Macron said Europe has to "take greater share in our own security, we have to take greater share in tomorrow’s security guarantees in Ukraine and we have to take more autonomy in our capabilities, the ways we are equipping ourselves."
Last month, the Trump administration signaled that Europeans would have to fend for themselves and Ukraine in the future.
France has pushed a “buy European” approach, working mostly with European suppliers — in some cases with EU help to cut prices and speed up orders of defense equipment.
Separately, Macron welcomed the release of Olivier Grondeau who was imprisoned in Iran for over 880 days.
The release of Grondeau comes as France and the rest of Europe try to pursue negotiations with Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program.
Two other French citizens currently being held in Iran are Cecile Kohler, a teacher, and her partner, Jacques Paris.
"I want to reaffirm here France’s commitment to their families," macron told reporters.
AP video by Herve Verloes
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