President Emmanuel Macron said France would step up military and humanitarian support to Ukraine during a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday.
Macron reiterated his "strong concern" over Russia's bombing of Ukrainian cities and the "unbearable situation" in the southeastern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, the French presidency added in its statement.
Russia denies targeting civilians in what it calls it "special military operation" in Ukraine.
Ukraine's military said Russian forces pounded Ukraine's eastern Donbas region on Saturday but failed to capture three target areas, while Moscow said Western sanctions on Russia and arms shipments to Ukraine were impeding peace negotiations.
US and Iran exchange fire, but Trump says ceasefire still in effect
UK's Labour Party punished in local elections, populist Reform gains
Russia and Ukraine fight on despite WW2 celebration ceasefire proposal
Death toll rises to 37 in China fireworks factory blast
Indonesian authorities rushing to rescue 20 hikers after Mount Dukono eruption
