The agreement, which lasts for several years, provides contracts for the acquisition of Rafales, drones and defense equipment. Enough to provoke a lot of reaction among Russian commentators.
/2023/07/07/64a7df4c5fe71_placeholder-36b69ec8.png)
Published
Updated
Reading time: 2 minutes
Volodymyr Zelensky signed Monday 17 November with Emmanuel Macron in Paris a “statement of intent” which he describes as“historical” with a view to the future purchase of French Rafale fighters, which Ukraine will acquire for the first time, and new generation air defense systems.
According to Elysée, this agreement was planned “for ten years”, forecast possible future contracts for “Ukraine’s acquisition of new French defense equipment”: “On order for 100 Rafales, with associated armament”, as well as the new generation SAMP-T air defense system, “under development”and radar systems. The announcement is on paper for now, but it certainly did not go unnoticed in Moscow, where it was commented on on Monday.
In Moscow, we never miss an opportunity to refer to history, especially when it could become a target for criticism of the French president. Therefore, the prospect of seeing the Rafale in Ukrainian colors was qualified by state television. “Napoleon’s Plan”. In short, unachievable.
The military correspondent, who is very popular in Russia, commented on the information on Monday evening. “It’s crazy to supply Rafales to Ukraine”estimates one, while another explains that we will not see them flying in Ukrainian skies, but this is a geopolitical signal, Ukraine, which was initially equipped with Russian-designed aircraft, is increasingly allying with NATO, which is considered an enemy of Russia. “Who will pay? asked another. Europe of course.”
“Our pilots are eager to do battle, who wouldn’t want to be the first to shoot down a French devil?”
A Russian military correspondentin Russian media
Emmanuel Macron described former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev as continuing to do the usual: humiliation “stupid people”Volodymyr Zelensky from “drug”. He argued that there may be a case of corruption behind the action, and exploited, as in many cases in Russia, the scandal currently rocking the Ukrainian government.
