NEW DELHI: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a major defence agreement with France to acquire 100 Rafale fighter jets, a move aimed at significantly boosting Ukraine’s long-term military capacity amid Russia’s continued invasion.

Zelenskyy arrived in Paris for talks with President Emmanuel Macron as Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities intensify and Moscow claims fresh ground gains in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.

In an interview with French broadcaster TF1/LCI, Zelenskyy said he had placed an order for 100 Rafale jets. The Élysée Palace confirmed the figure, though it did not immediately clarify whether the aircraft would come from existing French military stocks or be newly purchased.

Television footage captured Macron and Zelenskyy signing a letter of intent for the acquisition of “French defence equipment” at the Villacoublay military airbase, standing before a Rafale jet flanked by the French and Ukrainian flags.

“A historic agreement has been prepared with France — one that will significantly strengthen our combat aviation, air defence, and wider defence capabilities,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X on Sunday, adding that the formal signing would take place on Monday.