Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was scheduled to travel to Germany and France on Friday in an effort to secure critical military aid and establish bilateral security agreements amidst the ongoing war with Russia.
The visit takes place as Ukrainian forces attempt to halt Russian forces’ advance near the eastern city of Avdiivka. The U.S. has been delaying military aid to Ukraine for months, and the country is already short on manpower and ammunition.
Zelenskiy has recently restructured his military command and replaced his popular army chief.
Germany and France may become the next pair of Ukrainian partners to sign bilateral security agreements that would guarantee support until Ukraine joins NATO.
Kyiv intends to construct agreements with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron on the same framework established in January with the U.K.
French officials stated that the agreement between Paris and Kyiv was not limited to military aspects but also included economic and financial components.
Germany has exerted pressure on its European and American allies to make more stringent commitments regarding the provision of military supplies to Ukraine.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius predicts 3.5 billion euros in ammunition supplies this year and three to four times more in 2024 than in 2023 for his country.
