Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Paris for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, after Germany pledged unwavering support for Kyiv ahead of a widely expected counter-offensive.
The French leader's office said in a statement that the pair would discuss France's "support" in responding to "Ukraine's urgent military and humanitarian needs" during a dinner at the presidential palace.
Mr Macron would "reaffirm the unwavering support of France and Europe for restoring Ukraine's legitimate rights and defend its fundamental interests," the statement added.
The Paris meeting comes hours after EU leaders in Germany hailed the Ukrainian people for fighting for the bloc's freedom and values, handing this year's award for service towards European unity to the war-torn country's president.
"Ukraine incarnates everything the European idea is living for: the courage of convictions, the fight for values and freedom, the commitment to peace and unity," said EU chief Ursula von der Leyen at the Charlemagne award ceremony in the western city of Aachen.
"President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine are fighting for the values and the obligation that this prize embodies. And in doing so, they are also fighting for our own freedom and our values," she said in a message echoed by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.
For Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Russia's war on its neighbour had "cemented one clear realisation: Ukraine is part of our European family".
Germany 'a true friend'
Mr Zelensky received the prize while on his first trip to Germany since Russia's invasion, which came a day after meetings with Italian leaders and Pope Francis in Rome.
The weekend diplomatic tour comes ahead of an EU summit in Reykjavik and a gathering of G7 leaders in Japan.
Mr Zelensky won extended standing ovations at the Aachen ceremony, during which EU leaders also vowed to support Ukraine along its road to joining the bloc.
Calling Germany a "true friend and reliable ally" to Ukraine as it battles to repel Russian invaders, Mr Zelensky held separate talks with Mr Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Berlin yesterday unveiled a new military package for Kyiv worth €2.7 billion, its biggest yet for Ukraine and hailed by Mr Zelensky as a "powerful support".
"Now is the time for us to determine the end of this war this year. This year, we can make the aggressor's defeat irreversible," said the Ukrainian leader.
Anticipating the president's arrival in Aachen, several hundred Ukraine supporters rallied holding blue balloons and wearing yellow-and-blue flags around their shoulders.
Olga Zelenska, aged 37, said she came to show her support for her country. "We are proud," she said, when asked about the Charlemagne award for her people.
