France to send up to $5b in military aid to Ukraine

France's Emmanuel Macron has signed a bilateral security agreement with Volodymyr Zelenskiy. (AP PHOTO)

France and Ukraine have signed a bilateral security agreement including pledges from Paris to deliver more arms, train soldiers and send up to three billion euros (A$ 4.95 billion) in military aid to Kyiv this year to help the country in its war against Russia, the Elysee said.

The French presidency said the accord, signed by Emmanuel Macron and his counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, includes the pledge by France to provide "up to" 3 billion euros in additional military support to Ukraine in 2024.

In the agreement, which followed similar deals Kyiv has reached with Britain and Germany, France also pledges to provide more military equipment, in particular for air defence.

France, alongside other partners, will also help Ukraine make its defence capacities "increasingly interoperable with NATO", the Elysee said, adding: "This includes the development of a modern defence sector in Ukraine and a path to a future in NATO."

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