 "Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky shakes hand with France's President Emmanuel Macron during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a European Council meeting gathering the 27 EU leaders to discuss Ukraine, European defence, recent developments in the West Asia, competitiveness, housing and migration, in Brussels. AFP")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met France’s Emmanuel Macron on Monday at an air base outside Paris, aiming to secure a major deal for French air defence systems, including fighter jets, AFP reported.
Zelensky, facing political fallout from a corruption scandal at home and increased Russian pressure near Pokrovsk, wrote on X that he expects the talks to result in a “historic deal.”
At the Villacoublay air base, he is reviewing Rafale fighter jets, the SAMP-T next-generation air defence system, and several drone platforms before his meeting with Macron.
Letter of intent to be signed
A letter of intent on the air defence agreement — details still undisclosed — will be signed, according to a French presidential source. The goal is to “put French excellence in the arms industry at the service of Ukraine’s defence” and equip Kyiv with systems needed to counter Russian aggression.
This marks Zelensky’s ninth visit to France since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
His visit comes as analysts warn of a difficult winter for Kyiv, with Russia intensifying attacks. Overnight strikes killed three people in eastern Kharkiv, while seven others died in missile strikes on Kyiv on Friday.
Energy sector shake-up after scandal
Over the weekend, Zelensky announced an overhaul of state-owned energy companies following a corruption scandal, ordering two ministers to resign and sanctioning a former business partner accused of orchestrating the scheme.