Macron postpones Kyiv, Odesa visits - media

The decision, allegedly made "for security reasons," has caused concern among French and Ukrainian officials and diplomats, according to the Paris-based business publication Challenges.fr.

The visit was scheduled for February 13-14.

"Emmanuel Macron was supposed to go to Odesa, a symbolic city partially built by the French, before heading to Kyiv," Challenges.fr notes.

According to the publication, the program of the visit included "an important economic component related to the reconstruction of the country (Ukraine - ed.)."

This refers to the launch of a fund that will manage EUR 200 million raised through donations for civilian projects.

"The French president also had to formalize the arrival of the French Development Agency (AFD) as the coordinator of French aid to Ukraine," the Challenges.fr article says.