French President Emmanuel Macron has said he firmly believes that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy can successfully bring corruption in his country under control.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Zelenskyy in Paris, Macron noted that Ukraine would have to carry out reforms to the rule of law to be eligible for EU accession, to which Kyiv has long aspired.
The Ukrainian leader last week called for the dismissal of two cabinet ministers amid a scandal over an alleged $100 million (€86 million) corruption scheme involving state-run energy firms.
At the news conference, Macron also confirmed an agreement to sell 100 Rafale fighter jets made by French manufacturer Dassault Aviation to Kyiv
He also said French train maker Alstom signed a contract worth around 475 million euro ($551.05 million) to supply locomotives to the Ukrainian railways operator.
Zelenskyy has also hailed the agreement in remarks to reporters, saying: “It will be the greatest air defense, one of the greatest in the world.”
At the news conference, Zelenskyy also said Kyiv would also rceive “very strong French radars” and “eight ari-defense systems SAMP/T, each with six launching systems.”
“This is a strategic agreement that will work for 10 years, starting next year,” he added.
France has delivered Mirage fighter jets to Kyiv, but this is the first time Rafale planes have been promised.
However, Ukrainian pilots would require a considerable amount of time to learn to operate the planes.
✈️ Mirage 2000 of the Ukrainian Air Force flies on a combat mission, awaiting good news from France. Ukraine🤝France 🇺🇦 Together to Victory! pic.twitter.com/edlm8FtIuf
