Volodymyr Zelenskyj is planning security agreements with France and meetings with Olaf Scholz

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: Prospect of support agreement

Photo: Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/dpa

It's been almost two years since the Russian attack on Ukraine, and President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to talk about the war at this year's Munich Security Conference. He will use the trip to visit France and Germany beforehand. This was confirmed by the respective offices of the heads of government in Kiev, Paris and Berlin. Accordingly, Zelenskyj's meetings are planned for Friday with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin and with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. On Saturday he wants to appear at the Munich Security Conference and hold talks with US Vice President Kamala Harris.

It is already known from the meeting in Paris that Ukraine and France want to conclude a bilateral security agreement. This was announced by the Élysée Palace. There were initially no details about the content of the agreement.

A month ago, Macron promised Ukraine a support agreement similar to the one Great Britain had sealed with the country attacked by Russia. The agreement between Great Britain and Ukraine stipulates that London will support Ukraine now, but also in possible future conflicts with Russia. This is about quick and lasting military aid, not about deploying British soldiers.

Will there also be a security agreement with Berlin?

At the meeting between Macron and Zelensky, the French president wants to emphasize again that France is determined to support Ukraine in the long term. The two also want to talk about the situation on the front, Ukraine's military, economic and humanitarian needs and the EU accession negotiations. Friday's meeting will be Zelensky's third visit to Paris since the start of Russia's war of aggression against his country.

No details are yet known about the meeting with Scholz in Berlin. However, a security agreement is also expected to be signed.

Ukraine has been seeking NATO membership for a long time. After Russia's attack on the neighboring country on February 24, 2022, Kiev submitted an accelerated application to join the defense alliance. However, NATO has so far rejected accession negotiations, citing the continued war.

mrc/dpa/AFP