PARIS, FRANCE – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy secured a landmark defence agreement with France on Monday, November 17, 2025, aimed at significantly bolstering Ukraine's air defence and combat aviation capabilities. The deal, described by Zelenskyy as "historic," comes as Kyiv faces increasingly intense and lethal Russian missile and drone attacks targeting civilian and critical infrastructure.

The agreement was finalized during Zelenskyy's meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, a key stop on a European tour that also includes visits to Greece and Spain. The French Presidency confirmed in a statement that Macron would “put French excellence in the armaments industry field at the service of the defence of Ukraine,” specifically highlighting the provision of advanced air defence systems.

Discussions and presentations at the Villacoublay air base near Paris centered on sophisticated French-made weaponry, including the multi-role Rafale fighter jet and the SAMP/T surface-to-air missile system, which is co-developed with Italy. According to reports from L'Opinion citing Élysée Palace sources, the agreement could involve the long-range SAMP/T NG air defence system, capable of intercepting medium-range ballistic missiles, and potentially a long-term deal for new-build Rafale jets. France has also previously committed to providing more Aster missiles, which are used by the SAMP/T system.

Urgent Need Amid Intensified Attacks

President Zelenskyy's diplomatic push follows a recent surge in Russian aerial bombardments. A deadly strike on Kyiv just days before the visit underscored the urgency of his request for more robust anti-missile capabilities. Throughout 2025, Russia has significantly increased the scale of its attacks, with the number of drones launched per month reportedly doubling from around 2,000 in late 2024 to over 4,000. This escalation is overwhelming Ukraine's existing ground-based air defences, making advanced systems and combat aircraft critical for protecting the nation's energy grid and civilian centers as winter approaches.

The Paris visit is part of a broader strategy to secure long-term military support from Western allies. Prior to arriving in France, Zelenskyy sealed an energy deal in Greece on Sunday, November 16, to import US-supplied liquefied natural gas to mitigate the impact of Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. His tour will continue to Spain on Tuesday, November 18, for further talks focused on air defence cooperation.

Implications for Kenya and East Africa

While the conflict's frontlines are thousands of kilometers away, its economic and geopolitical shockwaves continue to be felt across East Africa. The war has significantly disrupted global supply chains, leading to increased fuel prices and food insecurity in the region. Kenya, which imports significant quantities of wheat from Ukraine, has experienced these effects directly. In March 2023, Ukraine delivered 25,000 tons of wheat to Kenya under President Zelenskyy's "Grain from Ukraine" humanitarian program to alleviate food shortages.

Bilateral trade between Kenya and Ukraine, which reached a record high of $221 million in 2021, has yet to fully recover to pre-war levels. The ongoing conflict continues to pose a risk to global food and energy stability, with direct consequences for the cost of living for ordinary Kenyans.

Diplomatically, Kenya has maintained a principled stance, consistently supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with the UN Charter. This position was notably articulated by Kenya's envoy to the UN at the start of the full-scale invasion. The latest round of military support from France, a key European power, signals a deepening of Western resolve to support Ukraine, prolonging a conflict whose global economic repercussions remain a key concern for Nairobi and its neighbours.

Shifting Dynamics of Military Aid

The Franco-Ukrainian deal reflects a broader shift in military assistance to Ukraine in 2025. With direct US aid becoming less certain, European nations have stepped up, increasingly financing the procurement of advanced weaponry directly from the defence industry rather than donating from existing national stockpiles. This strategic pivot aims to create a more sustainable, long-term support structure for Ukraine's defence. The new agreement underscores France's role as a leading military power in Europe and a crucial partner for Ukraine as the war nears its fourth year.