Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Paris on 17 November, where he was greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Villacuble military airbase in the Paris suburbs, according to live broadcasts from the scene.
The two leaders signed a declaration of intent on cooperation in the procurement of defense equipment for Ukraine during the visit to the airbase.
Reuters, citing its sources, reported that Paris may conclude a 10-year strategic agreement with Kyiv that would signal the provision of Rafale aircraft to Ukraine. According to the agency's sources, France may also provide additional SAMP/T air defense systems, missiles for them, and anti-drone equipment from its stocks or through long-term orders.
Last week, officials announced the visit would focus on bilateral cooperation issues. Ahead of the trip, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine and France would sign "a historic agreement" to strengthen aviation.
Following France, Zelenskyy will travel to Madrid on 18 November to discuss military assistance with Spanish leadership.
The Ukrainian president was on an official visit to Greece on 16 November, where Athens and Kyiv signed an agreement on natural gas sales to Ukraine, with deliveries set to begin in January.
