Ukraine has signed a 10-year agreement with France to acquire 100 Rafale fighter jets to strengthen its air defense, alongside new air defense systems, drones, and munitions. President Volodymyr Zelensky met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on November 17, emphasizing that this will create one of the largest air defense capabilities in the world.
The deal comes amid intensifying Russian airstrikes and advances in eastern Ukraine. Earlier this month, Ukraine and Sweden also neared a deal for up to 150 Gripen jets, further bolstering Kyiv’s military capability.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated hopes for a new summit between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump to explore a potential resolution to the ongoing war, though past negotiations, including an August meeting in Alaska, failed to produce progress.
Zelensky will continue diplomatic efforts, traveling to Spain on November 18, while the West maintains sanctions on Russian energy giants amid stalled peace talks.
