Ukraine’s president and his electoral challenger for the office are in Western Europe to meet with key leaders ahead of the country’s April 21 runoff vote.
President Petro Poroshenko and challenger Volodymyr Zelenskiy are scheduled to meet separately on April 12 with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
Poroshenko will also meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on the same day.
Germany, France, and Ukraine are part of the so-called "Normandy format" of countries seeking a resolution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where Russia-backed separatists are fighting against Kyiv government forces.
Russia is the fourth country in the format, which has not held talks in two years.
According to preelection surveys, Zelenskiy -- a comedian and political newcomer -- is the favorite to win the presidential runoff.
Zelenskiy won the first round by a wide margin over Poroshenko, but he did not receive enough support to avoid the runoff.
Related
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
California Connection: How A Chinese Factory's Electronics Are Fueling Russia's War
2Russian Woman Arrested In U.S. For Alleged Ties To Russian Intelligence
3The Ruble Swoons And Russia's Economy Wobbles Further
4Romanian Court Annuls Presidential Election, Throws Process Into Chaos
5Romanian Elections Targeted By 'Aggressive Hybrid Russian Action,' Declassified Documents Show
6NATO Agrees To Prioritize Protecting Ukraine's Infrastructure
7How Russia Prepares Children In Occupied Ukraine For War Against Their Own Country
8Taliban Orders Further Restrictions On Medical Education For Women -- Sources
9Police Force Protesters From Parliament On Sixth Night Of Tbilisi Protests
10Syrian Troops Reportedly Thwart Rebel Advance Near Russian Air Base
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.