French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was a "legitimate" leader and that, unlike Russian President Vladimir Putin, he had taken office through a free election process.

President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that France and its allies agreed Ukraine's rights and European security concerns should be taken into account in any deal to end the war with Russia, before he heads to Washington next week.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with President of France Emmanuel Macron. The French leader informed about new agreements with partners regarding security guarantees for Ukraine,