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PARIS — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be in Paris on Friday to sign a bilateral security deal with France, the Elysée Palace announced today.
“As Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine soon enters its third year, this visit will be an opportunity for the president of the republic to reaffirm France’s determination to continue to provide unfailing support for Ukraine and its people, over the long term and with all its partners,” the palace said in a statement.
The visit comes as Ukraine and France are finalizing a security deal in the wake of pledges made at a NATO summit in Vilnius last July. Instead of offering a direct path to NATO membership, G7 countries committed to sign bilateral security agreements with Kyiv to signal their longterm support in the face of Russian agression.
Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron will provide details about the agreement during a press conference on Friday, the Elysée said. Macron was initially scheduled to go to Ukraine himself.
In January, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak concluded a security deal with Kyiv, with Britain pledging to provide £2.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine in the 2024-2025 financial year.
The Ukrainian president is also expected to attend the Munich Security Conference later this week and meet with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, according to Handelsblatt.
Clea Caulcutt contributed reporting.
