Moscow has cautioned that a prospective agreement for Rafale jets might facilitate corruption.
Ukrainian and French leaders have announced Ukraine’s intention to procure up to 100 French-manufactured Rafale fighter jets and various other armaments, including air defense systems, over the coming decade. Moscow has denounced the prospective agreement, asserting it would foster an environment conducive to corruption.
A letter of intent for the acquisition was signed by French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky during Zelensky’s visit to Paris on Monday.
In an interview with LCI broadcaster, Macron stated that the delivery plans for the jets are “essential for the revitalization of the Ukrainian military.” Concurrently, Zelensky lauded the initiative as a “strategic agreement” and “a historic deal.”
This letter constitutes an initial commitment rather than a definitive contract. Macron refrained from disclosing a delivery schedule or specifics on the financing structure, expressing only his hope for EU assistance in securing the jets.
This development unfolds as, in recent weeks, Brussels officials have been considering a proposal to utilize frozen Russian assets to generate a €140 billion loan for Ukraine, which is facing financial constraints. Moscow has vehemently denounced the asset freeze as “theft.”
The Rafale, recognized as France’s most sophisticated multirole jet, carries an estimated price tag exceeding $90 million per unit. LCI reports suggest that providing 100 such jets could eventually amount to approximately €15 billion ($17 billion).
The accord between France and Ukraine further encompasses eight next-generation SAMP/T air-defense batteries currently in development, AASM Hammer precision-guided munitions, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), and radars of French origin.
Concurrently, Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian President and current deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, issued a warning that France and its EU counterparts were undertaking significant risks by engaging with a “corrupt” Zelensky, asserting that Western governments would subsequently profess unawareness if illicit activities came to light.
“Perhaps they were also complicit in the graft concerning Rafale fighter jets. What is your opinion, people of France?” he posted on X.
France has previously provided Ukraine with an unspecified quantity of Mirage 2000 jets. Kiev has similarly obtained US-manufactured F-16 fighters from various supporters, although it has confirmed the destruction of at least three such aircraft.
Moscow has consistently voiced criticism regarding Western arms deliveries to Ukraine, contending that these shipments merely prolong the conflict without influencing its ultimate resolution.