Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday as he makes his second official visit to Germany since the full-scale Russian invasion began.

Messrs Scholz and Zelensky are expected to sign a long-term security agreement.

Mr Zelensky would also meet President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin before travelling to Paris, where he will meet President Emmanuel Macron.

The two leaders are also expected to sign a bilateral security accord.

The agreements are related to a decision made by NATO heads of state and government at their summit in Vilnius in July.

Britain kicked off the process with a 10-year agreement, and other NATO members were expected to follow.

The agreement between the UK and Ukraine stipulated that London would support Ukraine now and in any future conflicts with Russia.

The deal involved rapid and long-term military assistance but does not call for the deployment of British soldiers.

Mr Zelensky will address the Munich Security Conference on Saturday and hold bilateral meetings with world leaders, including U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

The Ukrainian president opened the key international security conference with a video address last year.

This year, he will attend in person for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine almost two years ago.

In May 2023, Mr Zelensky paid his first visit to Germany since the war began.

He also briefly visited U.S. forces stationed in Wiesbaden in December during a trip through European countries.

(dpa/NAN)