The strategic agreement between Ukraine and France regarding Rafale F4 aircraft, radars, SAMP/T air defense systems, missiles, and guided bombs will remain in effect for 10 years starting next year. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this during a joint press conference with President of France Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris.
“Defenders of life must never be left alone, and I thank you, Emmanuel, that France’s support is always effective, fully practical, and truly gives us strength and hope,” the Head of State said.
The President of Ukraine noted that today’s meeting adds effective, practical, and strong elements to Ukraine’s defense.
“Ukraine will be able to receive one hundred Rafale F4 aircraft, very powerful French radars, and eight SAMP/T air defense systems with six launchers each – and for someone this may be a technical detail, but for us it is essential: every launcher is protection for every life; this is extremely important – as well as the missiles and guided bombs necessary for our defense. I would like to emphasize the importance of this agreement – it is a strategic agreement that will be in effect for 10 years starting next year,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
Emmanuel Macron added that this step is not only support for Ukraine, but also a modernization of its Armed Forces.
“Regarding the procurement of new, latest-generation SAMP/T air defense systems: at this stage they are still in development, but we agreed that this system could be deployed for the first time in Ukraine,” the President of France stated.
The leaders also discussed the prospects of the SAFE instrument for joint weapons production and the possibility of allocating part of the funds for the purchase of Rafale aircraft, the use of the ERA instrument to meet defense needs, and decisions on the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s defense.
“There is a path consistent with international law, and we continue to work on ensuring risk-sharing with our international partners, including within the G7,” the President of France said.
Additionally, during the meeting of the Presidents of Ukraine and France with representatives of defense companies, the parties discussed specific details of technological cooperation and defined a path for jointly increasing the industrial and technological potential of Ukraine and France.
In the presence of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron, several documents were also signed. Chairman of the Board of Ukrainian Railways Oleksandr Pertsovskyi and Alstom Transport SA CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge signed a strategic agreement on the supply of 55 modern freight locomotives to Ukraine. During the service cycle, Ukrainian enterprises will be involved in the production and supply of a number of components. The project is financed by the World Bank and the EBRD, with 40% provided as a World Bank non-repayable grant.
“And we are committed to carrying on with this line of cooperation with France. Today we are embarking on an important and meaningful security path, and I am absolutely confident that we will achieve the results we need,” the President of Ukraine noted.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to France Vadym Omelchenko and France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot signed a Cooperation Agreement between the Governments of Ukraine and France on implementing priority projects in strategic sectors to support Ukraine’s resilience and recovery, as well as a Grant Agreement between the two governments to support critical infrastructure and priority sectors of Ukraine’s economy.
