Graffiti with images and messages referring to Ukraine appear on Parisian buildings near Parliament

PARIS (AP) — Unusual spray-painted images and messages referencing Ukraine appeared on the streets of Paris on Friday as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Joe Biden in the French capital.

It is unclear who painted the graffiti that appeared on several buildings in central Paris, near the Parliament complex and various ministries. Some depicted coffins with stencilled inscriptions in French reading “A French soldier in Ukraine.” Others include a sign reading in Ukrainian “Give back the elections to the Ukrainians.”

It is the latest in a series of strange incidents in recent months that have worried French authorities as Paris prepares to host the Olympic Games in 50 days.

Three people were arrested and released Monday after allegedly placing five coffins at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, a Paris landmark that will feature prominently in the upcoming games.

Last month, graffiti showing red hands appeared on the Shoah Memorial in Paris.

And in October, shortly after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, stencils representing blue Stars of David appeared on Parisian buildings. French authorities have accused Russian security services of stirring up controversy around the stars.

French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourne said both incidents involved people paid to destabilize and drive divisions in French society.

The Russian embassy in Paris has denied any Russian involvement.