Zelenskyy and Macron agree on preparation for French President's visit to Ukraine

Topics discussed:

• The President of Ukraine thanked Macron for launching the Artillery Coalition initiative. He also thanked Macron for announcing France's commitment to produce dozens of advanced Caesar artillery systems and ammunition for Ukraine;
• Discussed the situation on the battlefield, Ukraine's defense needs, and priorities for Paris' next military assistance. It is important to continue to strengthen Ukraine's air defense;
• Zelenskyy welcomed the active assistance of French businesses that are investing and ready to increase investments in Ukraine despite the war;
• The President of Ukraine told Macron about the start of preparations for the Global Peace Summit. He emphasized the importance of involving as many countries as possible.

"We instructed political and military advisers to begin preparing for the French president's upcoming visit to Ukraine and to accelerate negotiations on a bilateral agreement on security guarantees within the framework of the G7 Vilnius Declaration," Zelenskyy adds.

Yesterday, January 17, the French president announced his intention to pay an official visit to Ukraine in February. In particular, a bilateral agreement on security guarantees between the two countries is expected to be signed during the visit.

Artillery Coalition

In December 2023, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced the launch of an artillery coalition to strengthen the Ukrainian army. At the time, the ministry emphasized that the coalition would start working in January and would be launched in Paris.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov was expected to visit France today, January 18, to attend the launch of the Artillery Coalition, but he was forced to cancel his trip. However, he will attend the event online.