Macron, Zelensky to sign bilateral security pact on Friday

PARIS (Reuters) – France and Ukraine will sign a bilateral agreement on security commitments this Friday, the French president said on Thursday.

President Emmanuel Macron had hoped to finalize a security deal in Ukraine this month, but he postponed the visit due to security concerns.

“As Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine will soon enter its third year, this visit is an opportunity to reaffirm France’s determination to provide long-term and, together with all its partners, unwavering support to the President of the Republic. There will be opportunities for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” the French president said.

The Ukrainian President also confirmed Zelensky’s visit to France and Germany.

As Kiev seeks NATO membership and fights a two-year-old Russian invasion, diplomats had said Zelensky would complete bilateral security assurances with France and Germany this week after starting talks in July.

Macron’s office said details of the agreement would be revealed during a press conference.

The agreement will outline a framework for long-term humanitarian and financial assistance, support for reconstruction, and military assistance. France will announce a 200 million euro fund for civil projects to be carried out by French companies, according to two diplomats familiar with the talks.

However, it would fall short of providing specific financial commitments on arms deliveries as Paris would need to return to parliament for approval, diplomats said.

Macron is likely to make public announcements instead. He has already said that Paris will send a regular supply of air-to-surface missiles and 40 additional long-range cruise missiles.

(Reporting by Michelle Rose, Writing by John Irish, Editing by Ingrid Melander)

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