This will be the fourth official visit of the Ukrainian president to French soil since the start of the war. After visits in February 2023, in May of the same year, then last February, Volodymyr Zelensky will be in Paris this Friday June 7, 2024.
The day before, he was invited by Emmanuel Macron to the D-Day commemorations, unlike Russian political leaders. The next day, a welcome is planned at Les Invalides before a speech at the National Assembly (around 9:50 a.m.) much criticized by all opposition political parties. He will then go to a company to meet industrialists.
Two chords and maybe “more”
Then he will go to the Quai d’Orsay to meet the Ministers of the Economy (Bruno Le Maire), Europe (Jean-Noël Barrot) and Foreign Affairs (Stéphane Séjourné) with several business leaders.
A discussion and a ceremony are then planned at the Élysée. “As Russian strikes continue to intensify on the front and on energy infrastructure, the two presidents will discuss the situation on the ground as well as Ukraine’s needs”in the ” extension of the Conference in support of Ukraine held at the Élysée on February 26 »said the president’s entourage.
Two major agreements will be announced. “There could be more”, says one of Emmanuel Macron’s close collaborators. According to the Élysée, the French Development Agency will release 400 million euros (in loans) and 50 million euros (in donations) by 2027.
Support for French businesses and support for local authorities
This sum will help support Ukrainian local authorities in the areas of energy, transport and administrative capacity. A critical infrastructure support fund will also be created.
200 million euros in donations will also enable support for French companies for calls for tenders in Ukraine. The sectors targeted: energy, transport, water, sanitation, health and agriculture. With a priority on energy. Knowing that, in the Eastern country, France is the leading foreign employer.
Possible announcements on sending instructors into the field, much anticipated, will not take place this week.
The speech to the Assembly goes badly
Many people are speaking out against Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech planned for the National Assembly. After a first speech, delivered by videoconference in March 2022, the timing is now controversial.
“I find it regrettable that 48 hours before a European election, while the day before the President of the Republic invited himself to all the TV channels to give a general policy speech, to talk to us about Europe and to come and interfere this European debate, our National Assembly is ultimately participating in this confusion by receiving President Zelensky,” lamented Olivier Marleix, Les Républicains deputy. “I am delighted to welcome Mr. Zelensky to the Assembly. But is Friday, the last day of the electoral campaign, useful? At the last moment, we received a text message to learn about this yesterday [mardi] evening. It’s a desire to manipulate opinion,” regretted Marine Le Pen on South Radio.
