French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine could be reached as early as next year, during a landmark press conference with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris.
The optimistic prediction came as Macron confirmed Kyiv's purchase of 100 French-made Rafale fighter jets in a significant boost to Ukraine's air defence capabilities. The French leader expressed hope that a resolution could be achieved before France's presidential election in April 2027.
Strengthening Ukraine's Air Defences
President Zelensky arrived in Paris on Monday morning to finalise several crucial defence agreements with his French counterpart. Within hours of landing, the Ukrainian leader announced the major aircraft procurement, later confirmed by the Élysée Palace.
The Rafale, manufactured by Dassault Aviation, represents one of Europe's most advanced multi-role combat aircraft. The twin-engine jet is capable of performing a wide range of missions including air superiority, nuclear deterrence and close air support operations.
According to sources briefed on the arrangement, the fighter jet delivery forms part of a 10-year strategic aviation agreement between France and Ukraine. While some aircraft may come directly from French military stocks, the majority will be delivered over the longer term as Ukraine works toward building a fleet of approximately 250 warplanes.
European Unity Against Russian Aggression
The defence agreement comes amid growing concerns about Russia's hybrid warfare tactics across Europe. Finnish President Alexander Stubb warned that European nations must maintain "cool heads" following what Polish authorities described as "an unprecedented act of sabotage" on railway infrastructure used to transport weapons to Ukraine.
Speaking from a Finnish military base, Stubb characterised Moscow's strategy as conducting "two types of warfare" - conventional combat in Ukraine and hybrid operations across Europe. "The line between war and peace has been blurred," he stated, noting that Russia aims to "destabilise our societies through information and other campaigns."
Polish Security Services Minister Tomasz Siemoniak confirmed that a "foreign state" was behind an explosion that damaged railway tracks near Mika village, approximately 80 miles from the Ukrainian border. Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the targeted infrastructure as "crucially important for delivering aid to Ukraine."
Financial Support and Political Divisions
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed three options for meeting Ukraine's substantial financing needs in a letter to EU governments. The alternatives include:
- Direct grants from member states
- A limited recourse loan funded by EU borrowing
- A loan connected to frozen Russian asset balances
Von der Leyen emphasised that "the three options are not mutually exclusive" and could be combined given the urgency of Ukraine's situation. The Commission aims to begin disbursements by the second quarter of 2026.
However, European unity faces challenges from within. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a known Putin ally, claimed Ukraine has "no chance" of winning the war and accused EU leaders of prolonging the conflict. "The situation and the time is better for the Russians than for us," Orbán stated during a podcast interview.
Meanwhile, in the United States, President Donald Trump has indicated willingness to sign legislation imposing sanctions on Russia, provided he maintains ultimate authority over such measures. A senior White House official confirmed Trump would support the bill if it includes provisions preserving his decision-making power regarding sanctions implementation.
The Kremlin responded negatively to the potential sanctions legislation, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressing hope for another summit between Putin and Trump "soon." The two leaders last met in Alaska in August without reaching a resolution on Ukraine.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the Kremlin acknowledged ongoing discussions about prisoner-of-war exchanges with Ukraine, though officials declined to provide specific details about potential arrangements.
