Strengthening Air Defense and Mirage and Rafale Aircraft for Ukraine: Zelenskyy Meets France’s Defense Minister

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defense and the supply of Mirage and Rafale aircraft with France’s Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Catherine Vautrin.

As reported by Ukrinform, Zelenskyy said this on Facebook.

“We discussed Ukraine’s needs to strengthen our defense: military assistance, reinforcing air defense with systems and missiles, as well as expanding aviation with French Mirage and Rafale aircraft,” Zelenskyy noted.

He emphasized that “it is important to maintain the resilience of Ukraine’s air defense amid Russia’s massive attacks on energy infrastructure. We are also interested in the swift implementation of joint projects within European initiatives, primarily SAFE.”

Zelenskyy thanked Vautrin for this visit to Ukraine — her first since taking office — as well as the President of France and all French people for their support since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

According to the Office of the President, Zelenskyy stressed the importance of supplying SAMP/T systems and French Mirage aircraft to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense, which is critically important for the country amid Russia’s ongoing large-scale attacks.

“Mirage aircraft are already part of Ukraine’s air defense system, destroying Shahed drones that Russia uses on a daily basis. We are counting on continued support in this area. We are grateful for signing an agreement on the future modern aviation of Ukraine — for the opportunity to receive Rafale, high-quality French-made aircraft. We are also counting on a new generation of SAMP/T systems,” the head of state noted.

The President emphasized that the rapid delivery of air defense systems would strengthen the protection of Ukraine’s skies.

Vautrin assured that France would continue to support Ukraine.

She noted effective cooperation with Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov, in particular on upgrading radar systems provided by France and on cooperation in drone production.

“France will uphold its commitments regarding Rafale. As for deliveries, they will be carried out as planned within the SAFE program. We will be your dedicated partner, we will defend your cause and seek to involve, in a broader sense, the European defense-industrial complex in this work in order to strengthen our capabilities and our sovereignty in the European context,” she emphasized.

The meeting also addressed sanctions policy against Russia.

The President noted that France had demonstrated a bold step by detaining a tanker from Russia’s shadow fleet. It is important that other countries join these efforts and introduce the necessary changes to their legislation to fully block Russian tankers.

As reported by Ukrinform, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is ready to supply drones to Poland in exchange for missiles for air defense systems.