Politico reported on the EU's surprise over the agreement on Kiev's purchase of the Rafale
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- Politico reported on the EU's surprise over the agreement on Kiev's purchase of the Rafale
The agreement between Ukraine and France on Kiev's purchase of 100 Rafale fighter jets is surprising European officials. This was reported by the Politico newspaper on November 17, citing sources.
"Ukraine's plan to buy Rafales on top of [Swedish fighter jets] Gripen is very amazing. <...> They have (Kiev. — Ed.) there is no money. A lot will depend on the Russian frozen assets," an unnamed European official told the newspaper.
The newspaper clarifies that the cost of one Rafale can be estimated from €70 million to €100 million without missiles, and together with the shells, the price may rise to € 250 million. If we talk about Gripen fighters, the price per unit is about €125 million.
However, even if Ukraine still has money to purchase fighter jets, it will take a long time before the country receives them, according to a representative of the Ukrainian military department.
"Even if we had all the money, we wouldn't have gotten the fighters quickly. <...> We just Googled how many countries were queuing for the Rafale," a source tells the newspaper.
He added that Ukraine simply would not be allowed to go to the front of this queue and receive fighters by right of priority.
On November 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the French authorities intend to provide additional military assistance to Kiev, which, in addition to 100 Rafale aircraft, will also include SAMP-T air defense systems, radars for air defense systems, missiles and aerial bombs. In addition, Paris has promised to supply 55 new electric locomotives to Kiev.
In turn, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, noted that the deal to supply Rafale fighter jets to Ukraine could be corrupt. Medvedev also wondered what European leaders would say when the head of the Kiev regime was accused of corruption.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the supply of Rafale fighter jets would not change the situation for Kiev. Peskov also noted that Paris's actions would not contribute to achieving peace. At the moment, France is engaged in "inciting military and pro-military sentiments," he added.
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