Ukraine's Zelenskiy heads to Berlin, Paris to drum up aid
(VOVWORLD) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is expected to visit Germany and France on Friday to try to drum up vital military assistance and sign bilateral security commitments as the conflict with Russia nears its third year.
 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks at a press conference on Monday, January 15, 2024, in Kehrsatz near Bern, Switzerland. (Photo: REUTERS) |
The trip comes as Kyiv's troops are trying to hold back Russian forces closing in on the eastern town of Avdiivka.
Ukraine faces a shortage of manpower and ammunition stockpiles, while U.S. military aid has been delayed for months.
Germany and France appear poised to become the second and third Ukrainian allies to sign bilateral security deals that would establish terms for continued support until Ukraine reaches its goal of joining the NATO military alliance.
The details of the agreements to be signed with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are not yet known, but Kyiv has said it wants to use the first deal signed with Britain in January as a framework.