KYIV: France pledged Monday to sell up to 100 Rafale fighter jets to Ukraine in a show of European support as the Trump administration has limited its military backing for the country. The agreement, which includes a range of French defence equipment in addition to the warplanes, will have a limited immediate effect on Ukraine’s war against Russia. The timeline for delivering the systems extends to 2035.But the deal, which came weeks after Sweden agreed to sell up to 150 fighter jets to Ukraine, signalled a determination by Europe to help defend Ukraine against long-term threats from Russia.President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, who was in France to meet with the French president Monday, said that the agreement was “truly historic for both our nations.”French President Emmanuel Macron called the deal an important step toward bringing the French and Ukrainian defence industries closer together as Ukraine’s sovereignty is challenged by Russia’s “imperialist and, frankly, neocolonialist instincts.” “Ukraine belongs to the European family,” Macron said. The agreement is deliberately spread over a 10-year window, France said, to provide lasting support for Ukraine and to space out the financing, some of which is intended to be covered by European programs.The deal includes air-defence equipment, air-to-air missiles and bombs, along with joint defence-sector projects set to begin this year. The nations will also work on producing interceptor drones together. Romania evacuates 2 villagesRomanian authorities said Monday they had evacuated two villages near Ukrainian border, after a Russian attack in Ukraine set fire to a ship carrying LPG. NYT & Agencies
