Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday (16/2) arrived in Paris, where France and Ukraine will sign a bilateral security agreement. French President Emmanuel Macron's office announced the development on Thursday, but did not provide details about the deal.
During Zelenskyy's visit, Macron will “reaffirm France's determination to continue providing unwavering support to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, in the long term and with all its partners,” the French presidential office said.
Zelenskyy's office said he would also travel to Germany on Friday for talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The meetings come amid a flurry of international meetings this week, including the Munich Security Conference on Saturday (17/2) which Zelenskyy will also attend.
NATO defense chiefs met in Brussels on Thursday to discuss how to maintain their support for Ukraine in its battle against a Russian invasion that began nearly two years ago.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday said allies needed to increase their defense budgets “to ensure that Ukraine gets the weapons, supplies and ammunition it needs.” Stoltenberg also hopes the US Congress will approve a new aid package for Ukraine after the budget expires in December.
The NATO chief told reporters that “supporting Ukraine is not charity, supporting Ukraine is an investment in our own security.” (em/lt)