Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday he had signed a deal with France to obtain 100 Rafale warplanes as he seeks to bolster the country’s long-term military capacity to fight Russia’s invasion.

Zelenskiy is visiting Paris for talks with President Emmanuel Macron at a time when heavy Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine have increased in recent weeks and Moscow has reported ground advances in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.

Zelenskiy told French TV channel TF1/LCI he had ordered 100 Rafale fighter jets, the channel said. The Elysee confirmed the number without immediate detail on whether these would be transfers from French stocks or purchases.

TV footage showed Macron and Zelenskiy signing a letter of intent for the purchase of what the Elysee said was “F

See Full Page