Paris: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Paris on Monday for a strategically significant visit, culminating in major defense agreements with France aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s air-defense shield and expanding its long-term combat aviation fleet. The visit comes amid intensifying Russian missile and drone strikes, which continue to batter Ukrainian infrastructure and towns, especially in the country’s southeast.
During his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Zelenskiy is expected to finalize France’s commitment to supply Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles, a sophisticated system built by European defense giant MBDA. These missiles will reinforce Ukraine’s dwindling air-defense stock, which has been under immense pressure following repeated Russian attacks. The deal marks one of France’s most substantial military contributions since the start of the conflict.
Beyond immediate defense needs, Paris and Kyiv are negotiating an ambitious 10-year “strategic aviation” partnership a framework that could eventually see French Dassault Rafale fighter jets joining Ukraine’s air force. Some of these aircraft may come directly from France’s current fleet, while others would be delivered through new long-term orders. The arrangement aligns with Ukraine’s broader plan to build a modern fleet of around 250 combat aircraft, including U.S.-supplied F-16s and Sweden’s Gripen jets.
However, the financing of these purchases remains an open question. Officials have indicated that while France may transfer some planes from existing inventories, most aircraft and missile systems would require new procurement raising uncertainties about payment timelines and funding channels. In addition, integrating Rafale jets into Ukraine’s air force will require substantial training, technical support, and maintenance groundwork, meaning that the operational benefits will not be immediate.
The Paris visit also includes broader defense-industrial cooperation. Zelenskiy is scheduled to meet executives from Dassault Aviation and other French manufacturers before signing a series of letters of intent. In the afternoon, Ukrainian and French firms will participate in a dedicated drone-technology forum, highlighting Kyiv’s push to advance its domestic defense capabilities in partnership with European industries.
France is simultaneously championing the creation of an international security coalition of about 30 nations, designed to support Ukraine over the long term and help guarantee stability once a peace agreement with Russia is eventually reached. The proposed coalition would assist Ukraine with military equipment, training, and continued strategic backing an effort Paris says reflects “the excellence and responsibility of French defense leadership.”
For Ukraine, the agreements represent vital progress on several fronts: closing immediate air-defense gaps, laying the groundwork for a next-generation air force, and securing long-term support from one of Europe’s principal military powers. For France, the deals showcase the country’s defense industry and reinforce its role as a central European partner in Ukraine’s security future.
As Zelenskiy’s visit continues, both nations emphasize that these agreements signal not just expanded military cooperation, but a deeper strategic partnership designed to endure well beyond the current conflict.