The agreement is aimed at “providing long-term support” to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and sending a “message of determination”, a French official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The deal will include financial and economic support, in addition to military and security commitments.
French President Emmanuel Macron (right) welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Elysee Palace in Paris, May 14, 2023. Photo: AP
The official said the agreement was also part of a commitment by the G7 group at the NATO Summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius last July.
Accordingly, the G7 announced that it would provide weapons and military equipment, including air power, and increased military training for Ukraine's beleaguered army. Mr. Zelenskyy asked for these guarantees to last at least until Ukraine joins NATO.
Mr Zelenskyy's visit to France on Friday will be the Ukrainian president's third visit to Paris since Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine nearly two years ago, following visits in February and May 2023.
During the visit, Mr Macron and Mr Zelenskyy will discuss the situation on the front line, Ukraine's military, economic and humanitarian needs, as well as negotiate the country's bid to join the European Union, which France fully supports.
The Ukrainian president's office said Mr Zelenskyy would also visit Germany on Friday, where he would meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the capital Berlin, before travelling to Paris.
On Saturday, he will attend the Munich Security Conference and hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines, including with US Vice President Kamala Harris, Czech President Petr Pavel, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Mr Zelenskyy's tour comes after leaders of the 27-nation European Union signed a deal earlier this month to provide Ukraine with 50 billion euros ($54 billion) to support the country's struggling economy.
Earlier this year, President Emmanuel Macron said France was negotiating a bilateral deal on the model that Ukraine recently agreed with the UK, which would run for 10 years and provide a £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) package in the next financial year, the largest sum the UK has given to Ukraine since the conflict began.
Ngoc Anh (according to AP)
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