PARIS – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Paris on Wednesday evening for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, the Elysee Palace said on Wednesday.
Zelensky’s visit to Paris followed a visit to the UK, during which he met British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, King Charles III and addressed UK Parliament. He is expected to arrive in Brussels on Thursday.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will also attend talks with Zelensky in Paris.
According to a French diplomat familiar with the preparations, discussions in Paris will focus on Ukraine’s long-term military plans and their arms needs.
“Macron and Zelensky often talk on the phone so there is nothing new to discuss. But it is different when you meet in person, you can talk about issues in more detail,” said the diplomat, who wished to remain anonymous because of French protocol issues.
Zelensky’s European tour comes as Ukraine asks allies for more weapons and braces for a possible Russian invasion on the anniversary of a full-scale invasion of the Kremlin later this month.
In recent days, France has given Ukraine 12 Caesar cannons and said that sending fighter jets to Ukraine was not off limits, there is debate over whether sending warplanes to Ukraine would be the next step for the Western allies .
The jets are expected to be on the agenda for discussions at the Elysee on Wednesday.
In January, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the French Air Force would be transitioning to a fleet composed entirely of Rafale aircraft. As such, the French armed forces may have older jets – such as the Mirage 2000 – potentially available for delivery to Ukraine.