From Villacoublay to the Élysée via the headquarters of the multinational force Ukraine, Monday promises to be a busy day for Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian president, expected in France for his ninth visit since the start of the war led by Russia, will participate in a marathon meeting lasting several hours focused on defense, armament and security guarantees for kyiv.
Meet at 9:30 a.m. in Villacoublay
The day will begin at the Villacoublay military air base, southwest of Paris, where Emmanuel Macron will arrive at 9:30 a.m. Ten minutes later, Volodymyr Zelensky will be welcomed with military honors: Ukrainian and French anthems, review of the troops and solemn address will mark the start of the official visit.
The heart of the morning will be devoted to a briefing with French defense industrialists. For half an hour, the two presidents will discover or deepen their knowledge of cutting-edge French military equipment: the Rafale combat aircraft and its armament, the new generation air defense system, drone systems, etc. A presentation which aims, according to the Élysée, to “put French excellence in the arms industry at the service of Ukraine’s defense”.
At 10:20 a.m., a letter of intent will be signed, before the two heads of state leave Villacoublay to join the headquarters of the “multinational force Ukraine”, the location of which is not specified.
Visit to the headquarters of the multinational force
At 11 a.m., Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky will pass through the doors of this headquarters created by France and the United Kingdom as part of the Coalition of Volunteers. This coalition, which brings together 35 countries including Ukraine, met for the last time in London on October 24.
The staff will present its operational capabilities to the two leaders. This force is intended to be deployed as part of a possible ceasefire with Russia and to provide security guarantees to kyiv.
The military briefing will last until 12:30 p.m., when the Ukrainian president will travel to the Élysée Palace.
Agreements and press conference at the Élysée
The afternoon will begin at the Élysée with the official welcome of Volodymyr Zelensky by Emmanuel Macron. Several bilateral agreements will be signed, particularly in the energy, economic and defense fields. These signatures will be quickly followed, at 12:40 p.m., by a press conference between the two presidents.
The day will end at 3 p.m. with the participation of the two leaders in the Franco-Ukrainian drone forum. A subject that has become a priority as Russia increases drone attacks on Ukrainian territory. On the night of Thursday to Friday, a Russian missile and drone attack targeting kyiv left eight people dead.
This meeting comes while Volodymyr Zelensky is on a European tour which first took him to Athens this Sunday, November 16, where he must conclude an agreement with Greece for the supply of gas intended for Ukraine’s winter needs. After Paris, the Ukrainian president will travel to Spain to continue his discussions on defense and energy.
