The Elysee Palace stated that the visit, Zelensky’s ninth to France since the start of the conflict with Russia in February 2022, reaffirms France’s commitment to supporting Kyiv in a war that Moscow describes as a “special military operation” to halt NATO’s further expansion toward its borders, while the West labels it an “aggression.”

The French Presidency stated that the meeting also served to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine once a ceasefire is reached, which currently seems a distant prospect given the stalled peace initiative promoted by the United States.

France plans to underscore its long-term support for the Eastern European country within the framework of the so-called voluntary coalition, a mechanism of more than 30 nations -mostly from Europe-, which it leads along with the United Kingdom, a group that Russia accuses of becoming involved in the war and complicating efforts to end it.

Zelensky announced on social media that a “historic deal” is being prepared with Paris to strengthen significantly Ukraine’s fighter jets, air defense, and other defensive capabilities.

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