Macron may visit Ukraine in early summer – French ambassador

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed his desire to visit Ukraine at a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on April 16, and the visit may take place in early summer, French Ambassador to Ukraine Etienne de Poncins has said in an interview with Ukrinform.

"On the occasion of the meeting [with President Zelensky in Paris on April 16], President Macron reaffirmed his desire to pay a visit to Ukraine as soon as the epidemic situation allows. Now we are talking again about the first half of the year or this summer. We do not have an exact date at the moment, but the prospect for the visit has been confirmed by the office of the President of the French Republic," the ambassador said.

He also noted that Zelensky's recent visit to Paris should be seen as a regular contact between the leaders of France and Ukraine, which took place according to plan.

The presidents of Ukraine and France held talks in Paris on April 16. The meeting took place in a face-to-face format and concerned the escalation of the security situation in eastern Ukraine. German Chancellor Angela Merkel later joined the talks via video link.

op