Macron and Zelensky sign security deal in Paris on Friday

French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky plan to sign a bilateral security agreement at the Elysee Palace on Friday, the French president said.

“This agreement is a commitment made in the context of the G7 during the NATO summit in Vilnius in July 2023,” Macron’s office said on Thursday.

At that time, NATO leaders did not set a timetable for Ukraine’s accession to the alliance, but the G7 countries pledged to provide long-term security support to Ukraine.

Britain and Ukraine signed a bilateral security deal in January, and Kyiv is negotiating with other countries.

Such security agreements could include the provision of modern military equipment and training of Ukrainian soldiers.

France has been one of Kiev’s biggest supporters since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Macron said in January that he planned to visit Ukraine in February, but his team did not provide further details.

Macron has pushed the French defense industry to shift to a “war economy” model and increase production.

In January, the French president called on European countries to be ready to support Ukraine in case Washington decided to end aid.

Separately, Zelensky’s office said the president will also travel to Germany on Friday to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Ukrainian forces face an increasingly difficult situation on the eastern front due to ammunition shortages and fresh Russian attacks.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – AFP)