Paris, France. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to seek reassurances of support in Paris on Friday as the war in the Middle East diverts attention from Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
Concerns over weapons supplies
The widening Middle East conflict has raised questions about the supply of weapons to Ukraine, notably air defences, as Gulf Arab states draw down their own air defence stocks to repel daily attacks by Iran.
Zelenskiy has warned that Ukraine’s acute shortage of air defence missiles will be exacerbated. This week he said Gulf states had used more PAC‑3 air defence missiles against Iranian strikes in a few days than Kyiv had received from Washington over four years.
Zelenskiy did not specify the source of his figures.
Financial pressures and EU funding talks
The war has also pushed up the price of oil, an important revenue source for Russia, while Kyiv continues to face financial strains.
The European Union has yet to agree on a proposed 90 billion euro loan that would, in part, provide Kyiv with funding to purchase weapons. Ukraine hopes the loan will be in place by mid‑April.
French assurances ahead of the visit
A French presidency official said the primary purpose of the visit was to demonstrate that no crisis or development would divert attention from Ukraine, which the official described as a major security issue.
The official said France’s support for Ukraine would not waver.
Outreach to Gulf Arab states
Zelenskiy has also sought to show Gulf Arab states, many of which maintain close ties with Moscow, that Ukraine can be a useful and reliable partner.
He has offered Ukrainian drone interception technology in exchange for air defence missiles.
What do you expect Zelenskiy to seek from France during his visit to Paris?