Macron initially said he planned to sign a bilateral defense pact with President Volodymyr Zelensky in February, according to the publication. The trip was postponed because “Zelensky eventually came to Paris to conclude the agreement.”
Diplomats cited by Reuters said a second date was planned for early March, but was later pushed back to later this week.
“The leaders of the two countries agreed to maintain close contact, especially with regard to the president's visit to Ukraine, which will take place in the coming weeks,” the French president said after a telephone conversation between the two leaders.
Notably, the visit was postponed days after Odessa was shelled during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
“Macron was also due to come to Odessa,” the journalists note.
Two diplomatic sources told Reuters the French president is considering expanding a trip to Ukraine to bring other Western leaders together with Macron, rather than a bilateral trip, to show solidarity among allies and with Ukraine.
Macron's visit to Ukraine
On March 10, Volodymyr Zelensky had a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. The heads of state discussed the upcoming meeting in Ukraine, among other things.
It is worth recalling that in January, Macron announced plans to visit Ukraine in February. Later it was reported that Macron will visit Ukraine on February 13-14. But the visit did not happen. The reason is the protection of the French leader.
However, in mid-February, during Zelensky's visit to Paris, Macron announced his intention to return to Ukraine. But the trip was also postponed to early March. It is now being reported that the visit will take place in the coming weeks.
