Second French Presidential Candidate Visits Kyiv and Backs Ukraine’s NATO Bid

French presidential candidate Édouard Philippe visited Kyiv on May 26 and voiced support for Ukraine joining NATO and for the deployment of European troops in Ukraine after a ceasefire with Russia.

Philippe became the second French presidential contender to travel to Kyiv ahead of the 2027 election campaign, according to Le Journal du Dimanche on May 26.

The leader of the Horizons  party met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit and said France’s security depends on continued support for Ukraine during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“Supporting Ukrainians means supporting ourselves: our security depends on it. In Kyiv, I told the president about my personal support, the support of my people and my determination to stand alongside Ukraine until the conditions for peace are met, and even after that,” Philippe wrote on X.

In a video shared on his personal account, Zelenskyy said he was grateful to the mayor of Le Havre for the “important demonstration of solidarity” with Ukraine.

Philippe also supported “the deployment of European troops in Ukraine after peace returns” to ensure “that Russia is not tempted to resume its attacks,” backing French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal for “support forces” on Ukrainian territory after a possible ceasefire.

His visit came as Russia increased attacks on Kyiv over the weekend. At least four people were killed and around 100 were injured in the strikes.

Philippe became the second French presidential contender to travel to Kyiv ahead of the 2027 election campaign after Gabriel Attal, who visited the Ukrainian capital in February and recently announced his own presidential bid.

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On May 25, Russia’s Foreign Ministry urged foreign nationals to leave Kyiv in case of further strikes. “We warn foreign citizens, including employees of diplomatic missions and representatives of international organizations, about the need to leave the city as soon as possible,” the statement said.

Philippe dismissed concerns about the trip during an interview with BFM TV on Tuesday. “This is not about taking reckless security risks, but about responding to an invitation from the Ukrainian authorities, and that invitation is still valid,” he said.

Philippe also said he would “work toward Ukraine’s accession to NATO,” adding that Ukraine’s military is “the most battle-hardened army in Europe” after four years of war.

France is currently led by President Emmanuel Macron, who was re-elected in 2022 and cannot run again in 2027 because of France’s two-term limit. Macron has remained one of Europe’s strongest supporters of Ukraine during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, backing military aid, sanctions against Moscow, and discussions about possible European security guarantees for Kyiv after the war.

The French political landscape ahead of the 2027 presidential election remains uncertain. Several centrist and pro-European figures, including Édouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal, are positioning themselves as candidates while continuing to support Ukraine and closer European cooperation.

Other potential candidates include Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella from the far-right National Rally party, as well as left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

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European officials and political analysts continue to closely watch the possibility of a far-right victory in France, especially because National Rally figures have previously faced scrutiny over political and financial ties to Russia. Critics argue that a change in leadership could weaken France’s support for Ukraine, including military aid and sanctions policy toward Moscow.

One of the leading potential candidates in France’s 2027 presidential election, former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal traveled to Kyiv in February 2026 during the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

During the visit, Attal met with Ukrainian officials and supported what he described as a fast but gradual path for Ukraine to join the European Union. He also took part in commemorative events honoring Ukrainian soldiers killed in the war.

Attal became the first major French presidential contender to visit Kyiv ahead of the 2027 election campaign and recently announced his intention to run for president.

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