In a significant move to bolster its long-term security, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement with France to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, alongside drones and air defence systems. The deal was finalised in Paris on Monday during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, their ninth since the full-scale Russian invasion began.
A Landmark Security Partnership
President Zelenskyy hailed the letter of intent as a historic deal during a joint news conference at the Élysée Palace. The agreement outlines Ukraine's commitment to purchasing a range of French military equipment over the next decade, marking a substantial step in fortifying the nation's defensive capabilities. This partnership signifies a deepening of Franco-Ukrainian ties amidst the ongoing conflict.
Regional Tensions and International Reactions
The diplomatic progress in Paris was shadowed by continued regional instability. In southern Ukraine's Odesa region, a Turkish-flagged tanker, the MT Orinda, was struck by a drone and set ablaze while offloading liquefied petroleum gas. All 16 crew members evacuated safely. The attack prompted Romanian authorities to evacuate two villages near the Ukrainian border, highlighting the persistent threat to Black Sea shipping lanes and neighbouring nations.
Meanwhile, the plight of Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia was brought to the fore. Families and legal guardians, including Darina Repina, sounded an urgent alarm in Paris, stating that all contact with the children has been severed and that Russian authorities are ignoring requests for their return.
Broader Geopolitical Landscape
Elsewhere, the geopolitical chessboard saw other significant moves. In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk described a railway explosion used for deliveries to Ukraine as an unprecedented act of sabotage, with prosecutors opening a terrorism investigation. Concurrently, in Moscow, China's Premier Li Qiang expressed readiness to deepen cooperation with Russia in energy and agriculture, underscoring the continuing alliance between the two powers. From the United States, a senior official indicated that President Donald Trump is willing to sign legislation imposing sanctions on Russia, provided he retains ultimate authority over such measures.
