Zelensky: Ukrainian pilots will soon start training on French Rafale jets

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian pilots will soon begin training on French Rafale fighter jets in France — a step he described as “an important step forward for Ukraine’s combat aviation”, as The Kyiv Independent reports. The news was announced after the calls Zelensky held on October 5 with French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

According to Zelensky, Macron informed him that France is preparing a new defence aid package for Ukraine, expected “soon”. The pledge comes at a moment when Russia is continuing massive air attacks on Ukrainian cities, ahead of another expected wave of bombardments.

Kyiv announced during 2025 that it aims to buy 100 Rafale jets. The Rafale, made by the French company Dassault Aviation, is a 4.5-generation multirole fighter and is considered among the most advanced European combat aircraft. France has supplied Ukraine with long-range missiles and supported it with intelligence, while the two sides are working on domestic production in Ukraine of French missiles and aerial bombs. Paris is also engaged in “Freyja”, the joint European defence project against ballistic missiles led by the Ukrainian defence company Fire Point.

Zelensky confirmed that the details of the programme will be discussed with Macron in a face-to-face meeting, for which no date has yet been set.

In the call with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the two leaders discussed preparations for the Ukraine–U.S.–Russia trilateral technical talks, which Washington is pushing to be held by the end of October. “There are no obstacles on our side,” Zelensky said. Winter preparations were also on the agenda, as Russia strikes Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Tusk and Zelensky agreed on a meeting soon; their last meeting was held on September 18, at the Carpathian 8 Summit.

Zelensky also spoke that day with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, with whom he discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defence. A considerable share of Russian drones are shot down by the F-16 jets that the Netherlands has transferred to Ukraine, the Ukrainian president said.