Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sought to secure access to weaponry from France, as he looks for additional support against increasingly deadly Russian missile and drone attacks.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday welcomed him at Villacoublay airbase near Paris alongside a display of top French military equipment, including Dassault Rafale-made fighter jets and surface-to-air missile systems.

Officials said Mr Zelenskyy is expected to strike a 10-year strategic aviation agreement that would signal the provision to Kyiv of the multi-role Rafale jets, according to Reuters.

Two sources said that deals could also be reached for more SAMP/T air-defence systems from existing French stocks, or through long-term, next-generation orders, including for missiles and anti-drone systems. Mr Zelenskyy and Mr Macron are expected to also attend a forum on the joint production of drones at the Elysee Palace.

The visit of the Ukrainian President is part of a brief tour of western allies. Mr Zelenskyy sealed an energy deal with Greece on Sunday and he is set to visit Spain on Tuesday.

"A historic agreement has also been prepared with France – there will be a significant strengthening of our combat aviation, air defence and other defence capabilities. According to the visit schedule, this will take place on Monday," Mr Zelenskyy said in a post on X on Sunday.

However, it remains unclear how the deals struck in France could be financed. Political and budgetary instability in Paris has raised questions over how much the country can actually do. Ukraine cannot afford such purchases on its own.

In the past three years, Europe has allocated €177 billion ($205.3 billion) to Ukraine, whi