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Russia condemned France Tuesday for signing a long-term agreement that could provide Ukraine with up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, calling the move an escalation that fuels the war rather than contributing to peace.
The deal was formalized during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Paris on Monday, where he and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a letter of intent outlining future arms deliveries.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Paris was "in no way contributing to peace" and instead encouraging "militaristic and pro-war sentiment" in Ukraine.
"No matter what aircraft are sold to the Kiev regime, this will not change the situation on the front lines and cannot change the dynamics."
The letter of intent signed on Monday includes the possible transfer of Rafale fighter jets—France’s most advanced multirole combat aircraft—alongside drones, radar systems, and the SAMP/T air defense platform currently under development.
While the Rafale deliveries are projected to span a 10-year timeframe, French President Macron stated that drone and interceptor production for Ukraine would begin before the end of 2025.
The agreement was signed at the Villacoublay air base near Paris during Zelensky’s official visit, which comes amid intensifying Russian attacks, domestic political challenges in Kyiv, and pressure to bolster Ukraine’s long-term defense posture.
President Macron described the current stage of the conflict as a "difficult moment" and asserted that Russia was solely responsible for continuing the war, which began with its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
He added that the agreement aimed to ensure Ukraine has the capacity to prevent new incursions by Russia in the years ahead.
The financial structure of the deal has not been disclosed. However, French officials indicated the arrangement would be supported by France’s own defense budget and potentially by joint borrowing within the European Union.
This could raise concerns among other member states, particularly Germany, over expanded EU-level defense financing.
Calling the accord "historic," President Zelenskyy welcomed the long-term support from France, which had previously supplied Mirage jets to Ukraine.
This is the first time France has committed to providing Rafale aircraft.
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