Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that he had reached a "highly significant agreement regarding the training of our pilots in France" during a conversation with President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday.
In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy emphasized the growing strength of their coalition of modern fighters. “Our coalition of modern fighters is becoming stronger," he said.
However, he did not provide specific details about the nature of the training.
It's worth noting that France does not possess F-16 fighter jets, which Ukraine has recently been promised by Denmark and the Netherlands. Instead, France operates French-made Rafale warplanes and earlier-generation Mirage 2000 jets.
Zelenskyy also mentioned that he and Macron had discussed potential measures that France could take to enhance the protection of Odesa region, a crucial area for grain exports. However, he did not delve into the specifics of these discussions.
Last month, the French foreign ministry had announced its intent to bolster military support for Ukraine, particularly in terms of strengthening air defense capabilities.