Volodymyr Zelenski has arrived in France on his ninth official visit to strengthen "energetic, economic, and defense ties" and visit with Emmanuel Macron the headquarters of the "multinational force of Ukraine," composed of 35 countries and already operational near Paris for deployment in the event of a peace agreement.
The military cooperation agreement, described as "historic" by Kiev, includes the purchase of up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, manufactured by the French company Dassault Aviation, and all their "associated armaments." According to the Élysée, the agreement outlines close defense collaboration "over the next decade."
The Ukrainian president, who visited Athens on Sunday, will arrive in Spain on Tuesday on his second visit since the war with Russia. Zelenski is scheduled to meet with representatives of the Congress and the Senate.
Zelenski arrived early on Monday and was received with all the honors of a State visit by Macron at Villacoublay air base for an initial bilateral exchange and a meeting with representatives of the French arms industry.
The two leaders will sign a "letter of intent" regarding military cooperation between the two countries. "The continuation of the war and the absence of a ceasefire underline our responsibility to enable Ukraine to defend itself and give it a new impetus," stated a spokesperson for the French government.
Next, they will visit the so-called "coalition of volunteers' headquarters" at Mont Valérien, from where the hypothetical deployment of a European force in the event of a peace agreement is coordinated. According to the spokesperson, the operational center is already fully functional and would allow the deployment of a multinational force in Ukraine, "the day after the ceasefire is signed."
Zelenski and Macron will then hold a press conference at the Élysée before a working lunch. The visit will conclude with both leaders attending the Franco-Ukrainian Drone Forum, focused on the new defensive strategy against recent Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian territory.
The visit comes days after a corruption scandal erupted involving alleged embezzlement of funds from the energy sector, tarnishing Zelenski's image amid the escalation of the Russian offensive. The Ukrainian president will have to address questions from international media about his involvement in the scandal.