PARIS: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected on Monday to seal deals with France on a supply of air-defense capabilities, warplanes and missiles, seeking to bolster his army’s long-term capacity to fight Russia’s ongoing invasion.
Zelensky is in Paris for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron as heavy Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine have increased in recent weeks and Moscow has reported sharp ground advances in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.
“A historic agreement has also been prepared with France – there will be a significant strengthening of our combat aviation, air defense, and other defense capabilities. According to the visit schedule, this will take place on Monday,” Zelensky said in a post on X on Sunday.
There have been talks for several weeks to see how France could provide more military support for Kyiv’s air defenses despite political and budgetary instability in Paris that has raised questions over how much France can actually do.
Macron pledged last month to offer more Mirage fighter jets, after initially promising to deliver six, and a new batch of Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles, produced by European group MBDA, for the SAMP/T air-defense batteries operated by Kyiv.
