Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kyiv and Paris have reached an agreement on training Ukrainian Armed Forces pilots in France. The president conveyed this in a video message published on his Telegram channel, outlining the significance of the development for Ukraine’s air capabilities and regional security.
During a separate assessment, Zelensky recalled a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron in which the two leaders discussed a set of deepening security and defense collaboration. He highlighted that the agreement signed is of particular importance for training Ukrainian pilots in France, noting that the coalition of modern air power is becoming progressively stronger as a result. Zelensky did not specify the exact type of aircraft involved in the training program, leaving the technical details to be clarified in subsequent discussions between the two governments and their military advisors.
Earlier reports indicate that Zelensky used social media to relay updates about his dialogue with Macron. The conversations touched on broader regional security concerns, including the operation of the grain corridor and measures to ensure safe global supply chains amidst ongoing tensions. The Ukrainian leader expressed appreciation for France’s military assistance and mentioned plans for greater involvement of French defense industry partners in forums and collaborative efforts that aim to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Additionally, it was noted that former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz offered his perspective on why Ukraine has not yet joined NATO, emphasizing the political and strategic considerations that influence the alliance’s enlargement discussions. The discourse around Ukraine’s security posture remains a central topic for European partners as Kyiv seeks to strengthen bilateral ties and align its defense modernization with allied standards.
In sum, Kyiv’s outreach to Paris underscores a shared commitment to advancing practical defense cooperation. The arrangement to train Ukrainian pilots in France represents a concrete step in expanding Ukraine’s air power readiness, complementing ongoing international efforts to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and regional stability. The dialogue between Kyiv and Paris continues to evolve as both nations assess operational details, ensure accountability, and coordinate with allied partners on capabilities development, supplier participation, and joint training initiatives that could shape the contours of Europe’s security architecture in the coming years.