PARIS - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Paris on Monday to seal deals with France on a supply of air-defence capabilities, warplanes and missiles, seeking to bolster his army's long-term capacity to fight Russia's invasion.

Zelenskiy will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron at a time when heavy Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine have increased in recent weeks and Moscow has reported ground advances in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.

"A historic agreement has also been prepared with France – there will be a significant strengthening of our combat aviation, air defence, and other defence capabilities. According to the visit schedule, this will take place on Monday," Zelenskiy said in a post on X on Sunday.

Macron welcomed Zelenskiy with a hug at the Villacoublay military airport near Paris.

HOW FRANCE COULD HELP UKRAINE'S AIR DEFENCES

There have been talks for several weeks to see how France could provide more military support for Ukraine's air defences, although Macron's government is grappling with political and budgetary instability, raising questions over how much France can actually do.

Macron pledged last month to offer more Mirage fighter jets, after initially promising to deliver six, and a new batch of Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles, produced by European group MBDA, for the SAMP/T air-defence batteries operated by Ukraine.

But according to two people briefed on the matter, Monday's visit will yield more for Ukraine. It could include a 10-year strategic aviation agreement that would signal the provision to Kyiv of multi-role, Dassault-made Rafale combat jets.

A Rafale jet was on display at the Villacoublay airport, standing in front of French and Ukrainian flags.

Some could come directly from French stocks, although the bulk would be longer-term and part of Ukraine's efforts to increase its long-term fleet to 250 warplanes, including the U.S. F-16 and Sweden's Gripen.

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