China News Agency, Paris, January 26 (Xinhua) French Foreign Minister Colonna visited Odessa, an important port city in Ukraine, on the 26th local time to evaluate related issues of aid to Ukraine.
Colonna held talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba and other officials on the same day to discuss Ukraine's military and humanitarian needs in the coming months.
According to diplomatic sources, Kolona's visit is also aimed at emphasizing the importance of Odessa to Ukraine and its surrounding countries.
Colonna posted photos related to her visit to Odessa via social media.
As the conflict continues, the local security situation in Odessa has been affected.
Colonna said her meeting with Couleba took place in a bunker; she also posted photos of the meeting.
Colonna's visit coincides with the World Heritage Committee's decision this week to inscribe Ukraine's historic center of Odessa on the World Heritage List.
The historic center of Odessa has also been inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, which Unesco says opens it up to more international technical and financial assistance.
During his visit, Colonna specifically addressed the issue of military aid to Ukraine.
She said through French LCI TV on the 26th that President Macron has asked the Minister of Defense to conduct research on whether France will provide Leclerc main battle tanks to Ukraine.
She said that the French side "has not yet made a decision on this and does not rule out the possibility of any decision".
Colonna revealed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not repeat his request for France to provide Leclerc tanks because the "obvious problem" was how to get them here, carry out related maintenance and provide spare parts.
The German government confirmed earlier that it would supply Ukraine with the Leopard main battle tank and approve other countries equipped with the German-made tank to do the same.
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