Before the French Parliament, Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday March 23 urged France to support Ukraine in defending the values ​​of freedom, equality and fraternity against Moscow and asked French companies still present in Russia to stop finance the Kremlin's "war machine".

"We expect from France, from your leadership, that you can make Russia seek peace to end this war against freedom, equality and fraternity, against everything that has united Europe , free and diverse", said the Ukrainian president, via a translator, before the two chambers of the French Parliament, to which he asked to observe a few moments of silence in tribute to the Ukrainian victims of the war.

"We expect from France, from your leadership the restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine. We can do it together and if there are people who have doubts among those present, I can tell you that your people is safe, like all the other peoples of Europe."

02:55

"French companies must leave the Russian market"

"Renault, Auchan, Leroy Merlin must stop being sponsors of Russia's war machine, stop financing the murder of children and women, rapes. Everyone must remember that values ​​are worth more than profits," said the Ukrainian head of state.

The Auchan chain of stores is emblematic of mass distribution in Russia, where it operates 231 stores for a turnover of 3.2 billion euros, or more than 10% of its overall activity.

Auchan declined to comment.

Last week, a spokesperson for the French distributor found the criticism leveled against him by the Ukrainian president extremely surprising.

The DIY brand Leroy Merlin, very established in Russia, its second market behind France, claims 36,000 employees in this country, who operate in 107 hypermarkets and 62 cities.

Employees of the Ukrainian branch of Leroy Merlin asked the brand on Monday to cease its activities in Russia after the bombing of a store of the group in kyiv.

Leroy Merlin, who belongs to the same group as Auchan, also declined to comment.

Other iconic international brands such as Sweden's Ikea and the fast-food chain McDonald's, on the other hand, have suspended their operations in Russia in reaction to the invasion of Ukraine.

Russia is also the second largest market for the Renault automobile group in the world behind Europe.

The French manufacturer is present through the AvtoVAZ group, which halted part of its production in mid-March due to a shortage of components linked to Western sanctions imposed on Russia.

Renault was not immediately available for comment.

The group had indicated earlier on Wednesday that it was considering suspending production at its Moscow plant again from this evening due to logistical problems.

Renault is all the more exposed as it is associated in Russia with the Russian public conglomerate Rostec, directed by Sergei Tchémezov, an ally of Vladimir Putin.

The French group TotalEnergies, also criticized for its maintenance in Russia, somewhat distanced itself on Tuesday from this strategic country by announcing that it would renounce all purchases of Russian oil or petroleum products, at the latest by the end of the year.

Multiplication of interventions with Western parliaments 

Volodymyr Zelensky, who multiplies the interventions in front of the national parliaments - he spoke again Wednesday morning in front of the Japanese Diet and will speak Thursday in front of the Swedish parliament -, will also address Thursday to NATO meeting in extraordinary summit in Brussels.

>> See also: "War in Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelensky's offensive strategy with Western parliaments"

We need even more help, so that freedom does not lose, anti-tank weapons, anti-aircraft defense.

You can help us”, insisted the Ukrainian president before the French Parliament.

Comparing to the "ruins of Verdun" the destruction inflicted by the Russian army on Ukraine since the start of its invasion operation on February 24, Volodymyr Zelensky also called on the French presidency of the European Union to encourage accession "historical" of Ukraine to the community bloc.

06:06

"Thank you France, glory to Ukraine", concluded the Ukrainian president to the loud applause of deputies and senators.

With Reuters and AFP

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