French President Emmanuel Macron to Sign Bilateral Security Agreement with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy
ICARO Media Group
The agreement, which is scheduled to be signed in Paris on Friday, aims to provide crucial assistance to the war-ravaged country.
The French presidency, in a statement released on Thursday, announced that Macron and Zelenskyy will hold a bilateral meeting, followed by a news conference and a working dinner at the Elysee presidential palace. Although specific details about the agreement were not disclosed, Macron had earlier stated that France was negotiating a deal similar to the one Ukraine had recently reached with the United Kingdom.
France's bilateral agreement with Ukraine is expected to cover a period of ten years and will include a comprehensive package of support worth approximately £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) for the upcoming fiscal year. This funding is the largest amount granted to Ukraine by the UK since the conflict began, highlighting the importance of international backing for Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression.
An anonymous French official stated that the agreement is aimed at providing long-term support to Ukraine and sending a message of determination. The official further added that this move aligns with the collective approach of the Group of Seven (G7) economies, following commitments made at a NATO summit in Vilnius in July.
Under the agreement, financial and economic support, as well as military and security commitments, will be provided. This signifies a holistic approach to addressing Ukraine's diverse needs, ranging from its military capabilities to its economic stability in the face of ongoing conflict.
President Zelenskyy's visit to Paris marks his third trip since Russia's invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago. The discussions between Macron and Zelenskyy are expected to cover various aspects including the situation on the front line, Ukraine's military requirements, economic challenges, and the progress of negotiations regarding Ukraine's potential membership in the European Union, which France strongly supports.
Following his visit to Paris, Zelenskyy will then proceed to Germany, where he is scheduled to meet with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. Later, he will participate in the Munich Security Conference, engaging in bilateral meetings with several world leaders, including U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Czech President Petr Pavel, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
This latest development comes on the heels of the European Union's announcement earlier this month, where the leaders of 27 EU countries committed to providing a substantial support package amounting to 50 billion euros ($54 billion) to assist Ukraine's economy in its recovery efforts.
As Ukraine continues to grapple with the devastating impact of the conflict, the bilateral agreement between France and Ukraine, along with the EU's support, seeks to bolster Ukraine's long-term prospects and strengthen its position on the international stage.