France and Ukraine sign a security agreement in Paris in the presence of President Zelensky

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron will sign a bilateral security agreement with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday in Paris to provide “long-term support” to the war-torn and fighting nation. The Russian invasion is widespread Nearly two years ago.

The French presidency said in a statement on Thursday that the bilateral meeting between Macron and Zelensky in the late afternoon will be followed by a press conference and a working dinner at the Elysee presidential palace. No specific details about the agreement were published.

Macron said earlier this year that France was negotiating a bilateral agreement on the first model Ukraine recently agreed with the United Kingdom, Which covers 10 years and provides a package worth 2.5 billion pounds ($3.2 billion) over the next financial year. It is the largest sum the UK has given to Ukraine since the war began.

A French official, who spoke anonymously because he was not allowed to reveal details of the deal, said the agreement was intended to “provide long-term support” to Ukraine as well as sending a “message of determination.”

He said it was part of a more advanced G7 “collective approach”, in accordance with commitments made at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July.

So group of seven He pledged to provide weapons and military equipmentIncluding combat air power, as well as further military training for the beleaguered Ukrainian army. Zelensky requested that these guarantees continue at least until Ukraine joins NATO.

The official said that the French-Ukrainian agreement would include financial and economic support in addition to military and security commitments.

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This will be Zelensky's third visit to Paris since the Russian invasion. Russian invasion of Ukraine Nearly two years ago, after flights in February and May 2023.

The French presidency said that Macron and Zelensky will discuss the situation on the front line, Ukraine's military, economic and humanitarian needs, as well as negotiations on the country's efforts to join the European Union, which France fully supports.

The Ukrainian presidential office said that Zelensky will also visit Germany on Friday, where he will meet with Chancellor Olaf Schulz in Berlin, before traveling to Paris.

On Saturday, he will participate in the Munich Security Conference, during which he will hold bilateral meetings, including with US Vice President Kamala Harris, Czech President Peter Pavel, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, according to the statement. He said.

Zelensky's trip also comes after leaders of the 27-nation European Union struck an agreement earlier this month. To provide Ukraine with 50 billion euros ($54 billion) to support its exhausted economy.

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AP journalist Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this story.

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Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine on https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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