The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his visit to France, held discussions with President Emmanuel Macron on a range of topics, including Russia's military aggression and assistance for Ukraine, reports the U.S. State Department's website.
According to the spokesperson for the American foreign policy agency, Matthew Miller, Macron and Blinken also addressed the issue of North Korean assistance to Russia, which continues its war against Ukraine.
The State Department's statement notes that on January 8, during a meeting with Macron, the Secretary discussed "our unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's brutal aggression and concerns regarding China's support for the Russian defense industry, which sustains the Kremlin's war machine."
Additionally, the parties talked about the situation in the Middle East, particularly the political processes in Syria following the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, and the necessity of releasing hostages and achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, where Israel's operation against Hamas militants is ongoing.
According to Miller, Blinken and Macron discussed "the importance of a transitional process in Syria that is inclusive and upholds the rights of the Syrian people."
"They also talked about the need to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza that ensures the release of all hostages without further delays," the American agency reported.
The State Department added that the U.S. Secretary of State and the French President committed to "continue cooperation on these critical issues."