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PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron will signal a bilateral safety settlement along with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Friday in Paris to offer “long-term help” to the war-ravaged nation which has been battling Russia’s full-scale invasion for almost two years.
The French presidency mentioned in an announcement Thursday that Macron and Zelenskyy’s bilateral assembly in late afternoon shall be adopted by a information convention and a working dinner on the Elysee presidential palace. It didn’t launch particular particulars concerning the settlement.
Macron mentioned earlier this 12 months that France was negotiating a bilateral deal on the mannequin the one Ukraine not too long ago agreed with the UK, which covers 10 years and gives a bundle price 2.5 billion kilos ($3.2 billion) over the following fiscal 12 months. It’s the largest the U.Ok. has given to Ukraine for the reason that conflict started.
A French official, talking anonymously as a result of he was not allowed to disclosed the small print of the deal, mentioned the settlement goals to “present long-term help” to Ukraine in addition to sending a “message of dedication.”
He mentioned it was a part of a “collective strategy” from the Group of Seven most superior economies, as per commitments made at a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July.
The Group of Seven then vowed to offer weapons and navy gear, together with fight airpower, in addition to extra navy coaching for Ukraine’s beleaguered military. Zelenskyy requested that these assurances final not less than till Ukraine joins NATO.
The French-Ukrainian settlement will embrace monetary and financial help, along with navy and safety commitments, the official mentioned.
This shall be Zelenskyy’s third go to to Paris for the reason that Russian invasion, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly two years in the past, following his journeys in February and Could 2023.
The French presidency mentioned Macron and Zelenskyy will talk about the state of affairs on the entrance line, Ukraine’s navy, financial and humanitarian wants, in addition to negotiations on the nation’s efforts to affix the European Union, which France totally helps.
Ukraine’s presidential workplace mentioned Zelenskyy may even go to Germany on Friday, the place he’ll meet with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, earlier than touring to Paris.
On Saturday, he’ll participate within the Munich Safety Convention, the place he’ll maintain bilateral conferences on the sidelines, together with with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Czech President Petr Pavel, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the assertion mentioned.
Zelenskyy’s journey additionally comes after leaders of the 27 European Union international locations sealed a deal earlier this month to offer Ukraine with 50 billion euros ($54 billion) in help for its battered economic system.
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AP journalist Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to the story.
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Comply with AP’s protection of the conflict in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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