French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot arrived in Kyiv on Saturday, October 19, for a diplomatic visit, meeting with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha. Barrot’s visit reaffirms France’s commitment to supporting Ukraine as it continues its fight for territorial integrity against Russia.
“Your fight is our fight,” Barrot told reporters. “You are battling to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity, but you are also holding the frontline between Europe and Putin’s Russia — between freedom and oppression. We are doing everything we can to prevent other nations from being drawn into this war.”
In a significant announcement, Barrot confirmed that Ukraine will receive its first batch of Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter jets in early 2025. The delivery of these jets marks a milestone in France’s ongoing military assistance to Ukraine.
“The first Mirage 2000 aircraft will be provided to Ukraine at the start of next year,” Barrot stated during the press conference in Kyiv.
Earlier, in July 2024, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu had revealed plans to equip the Mirage 2000 fighters with modern air-to-ground missiles and advanced electronic warfare systems.
Pilot and maintenance crew training is already underway in Nancy, France, according to Lecornu.