The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, arrived in Paris on Sunday evening for a dinner at the Elysée Palace, during which the “urgent needs of Ukraine at the military and humanitarian levels” will be discussed, according to the French presidency, AFP reports.

After Italy and Germany, the Ukrainian president arrived at Velizy-Villacouble air base southwest of Paris at around 20:55 local time.

After leaving the plane, the Ukrainian president was met by Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne, with whom he exchanged a few words.

“With each visit, Ukraine’s defense and offensive capabilities expand. Ties with Europe are strengthening, and pressure on Russia is increasing,” Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter after his arrival, adding that he was to meet with his “friend Emmanuel” Macron.

Then he went to the Elysée Palace, where Emmanuel Macron “will confirm the unwavering support of France and Europe in restoring Ukraine’s legal rights and protecting its fundamental interests,” the Elysée Palace said.

This is the second visit of the Ukrainian head of state to Paris since the beginning of the Russian offensive on his country in February 2022. Emmanuel Macron already hosted him on February 8 at the Elysee Palace together with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Zelensky arrived in Paris straight from Germany, where he praised the military support of Germany, which he called a “true friend” and a “reliable ally” after announcing new arms shipments to support a counteroffensive against Russia.

After months of delays by the German government in supplying weapons requested by Kyiv, the time has come for harmony between the two countries.

He immediately received the Charlemagne Prize, an honor that rewards devotion to European unification, in Aix-la-Chapelle (west). Then he will go to Paris.

Before his visit to Berlin, the Ukrainian president was received by Pope Francis and the leaders of Italy in Rome on Saturday.

This European tour comes amid preparations for an offensive by the Ukrainian military, as Kyiv and Moscow claim success in and around Bakhmut.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi on Sunday from Berlin denied an attack on Russian territory after five Russian landing party planes were shot down on Saturday. In addition, his statement was made after information appeared in the American press that the Ukrainian president was planning attacks inside Russia. On the other hand, Zelenskyi’s assurances would be an attempt to appease Western allies and convince them to provide Kyiv with modern fighter jets.

It will be recalled that on Saturday, Germany announced the provision of 2.7 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine, the largest package of its kind since the Russian invasion, and promised additional support to Kyiv as long as it is needed.