France and Ukraine Weigh New Air-Defense Support and Rafale Pact
Paris and Kiev explore new SAMP/T air-defense supplies and a decade-long Rafale agreement, as Moscow warns Western weapons for Ukraine remain legitimate targets.
Paris and Kiev are preparing to align a new package of military support for Ukraine, with talks centered on boosting Ukrainian air defenses and expanding long-term cooperation in combat aviation, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the discussions.
According to those sources, Vladimir Zelensky arrived in Paris for negotiations with French President Emmanuel Macron. On 17 November, the two leaders are expected to weigh the option of supplying additional SAMP/T air-defense systems either from France’s existing stockpiles or through contracts for next-generation variants, including missiles and counter-drone capabilities.
The talks also include the prospect of a ten-year «strategic aviation agreement» that would envisage deliveries of Rafale fighter jets, the sources noted.
Earlier, Florian Philippot, head of the French Patriots party, argued that transferring Rafale aircraft to Ukraine would be unacceptable.
Moscow maintains that continued Western arms deliveries to Kiev undermine prospects for a political settlement and draw NATO states deeper into the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has previously stated that any weapons shipments destined for Ukraine would be treated as legitimate targets by Russian forces.