President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made important visits to Greece, France, and Spain on November 16–18. The results will strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities today and in the future, support the country’s energy sector, economy, and logistical resilience.
The President described his visit to France as one of the most productive this year – a visit that elevated relations between the countries to a new level.
On November 17, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron signed a declaration enabling Ukraine to purchase French defense products for the modernization of the Armed Forces.
This includes 100 Rafale F4 aircraft by 2035, SAMP/T air defense systems, modern radars for air defense, air-to-air missiles, and guided aerial bombs. It also provides for the transfer of technologies and the joint production of aircraft with localization in Ukraine.
“This is a strategic agreement that will be in effect for 10 years starting next year,” the President emphasized.
Ukraine and France will also jointly produce interceptor drones and work on developing critical technologies and components that can be integrated into Ukrainian UAVs. Joint projects will begin this year.
Ukraine will also receive a new military support package from France by the end of the year.
Additionally, during the President’s visit, Ukrainian Railways and Alstom Transport SA signed a strategic agreement to supply Ukraine with 55 modern freight locomotives, strengthening Ukraine’s transport logistics.
During the meeting with Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez in Madrid on November 18, the main focus was also defense cooperation.
The Prime Minister announced that Spain will contribute €100 million to the PURL initiative, allocate an economic package worth €200 million – including for the restoration and strengthening of Ukraine’s energy sector – and direct €215 million to joint weapons-production projects with Ukraine under SAFE. Spain became the first country to announce a specific allocation for Ukraine within this instrument.
Spain is also preparing a new €300 million defense assistance package, which will include IRIS-T air defense missiles – a critically important need.
Ukraine will additionally work with Spanish defense manufacturers on the project to supply, among other things, long-range detection radars, which could significantly bolster Ukraine’s protection.
In the presence of both leaders, five bilateral documents were signed on countering Russian disinformation, cooperation in tourism, mechanisms for bilateral economic and financial interaction, and collaboration in the defense industry between Spanish companies Escribano and Tecnove and the Ukrainian company Practika.
During the meeting between President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis on November 16 in Athens, Naftogaz of Ukraine and the Greek state company DEPA Commercial signed an agreement on supplying natural gas to Ukraine this winter. This will help our country get through the heating season amid ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy system.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kyriakos Mitsotakis also discussed long-term arrangements for importing natural gas from the United States through Greece.
Our country will gain access to reliable sources of energy, while Greece is becoming a hub for supplying U.S. liquefied natural gas to Central and Eastern Europe. This is a very important contribution to the region’s energy stability, resilience, and security.