Ukraine is finalizing a new "historic agreement" with France that should significantly strengthen the country's combat aviation, air defense, and overall defense capabilities, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his address on Sunday, November 16.
According to the head of state, the document has already been prepared and will be signed tomorrow. France previously transferred Mirage 2000 fighters to Ukraine and is participating in strengthening Ukrainian air defense, so the new agreement is viewed by Kyiv as a logical continuation of the defense partnership.
" A historic agreement has been prepared with France. There will be a significant strengthening of our aviation, our sky defense, our other defense capabilities. This is what really helps Ukraine defend itself and achieve our goals ," Zelenskyy emphasized.
The deal is expected to include not only the supply of aircraft, but also new air defense support packages and ammunition, which fits into Kyiv's overall strategy of strengthening the defense of the sky against the backdrop of massive Russian missile and drone attacks. According to media reports, this includes additional air defense systems and deepening cooperation in the field of combat aviation.
Separately, the president recalled that this week the Nordic and Baltic countries agreed to allocate $500 million under the PURL program for the purchase of American weapons, in particular Patriot systems, which will also be aimed at strengthening Ukrainian air defense.
In addition to the French direction, Zelenskyy announced his visit to Spain for Tuesday. The goal is to reach agreements on additional air defense systems and missiles for them.
" Another strong country has joined the partners and initiatives that really help us. Our most important goals today are air defense, air defense missiles. And after each Russian strike, we ensure the restoration of our forces. It is not easy, but we are doing it ," the president noted.
On November 2, Zelenskyy already reported that Germany had transferred an additional number of Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine, which the parties had been negotiating for a long time. This step, according to military experts, was an important element of the expansion of echeloned air defense.
Aviation and air defense experts have repeatedly emphasized that the increase in the number of Shahed-type strike drones with which Russia attacks Ukrainian cities requires the development of local and flexible air defense systems, as well as the integration of aviation into a single defense circuit. According to experts, the Russian Federation is building protected sites for launching drones around the Ukrainian borders, which increases the intensity and variability of strikes.
Against this background, any agreements related to aviation and air defense are viewed by Kyiv as an opportunity not only to increase the number of systems and missiles, but also to bring defense to a new technological level - in particular, thanks to modern fighters integrated with missile defense systems.
