by Olesya Orlenko
[REGNUM] On November 17, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a "historic" agreement with Ukraine, signed during Volodymyr Zelenskyy's latest visit to Paris.
The news of Ukraine's purchase of Rafale fighter jets is being presented as a prospect for multi-billion dollar investments in the French economy, while Ukraine itself is being portrayed as a profitable partner.
However, there was no universal public rejoicing. Readers of major French media outlets are asking in the comments: who will pay for the order?
PLAYED LIKE TRUMP
The plane brought Zelensky to the French Air Force's Villacoublay Airport, where he was met by Macron, surrounded by a military orchestra and soldiers.
A table was also set up there, where the French president and his guest signed an agreement marking a “new stage” in relations with Ukraine.
The entire scene looked suspiciously like an attempt to recreate the atmosphere in which US President Donald Trump hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage on August 15.
And the loud words of the French President indicate an attempt to present the event as grandiose, after which nothing will be the same as before.
However, unlike the meeting of two leaders of powerful countries in Alaska, where they sought solutions to a situation affecting the entire world, in France they signed another letter of intent with a president who is suffering defeat on the battlefield, whose term of office has long since expired.
Moreover, the agreement is not backed by any financial guarantees.
It contains Ukraine's intention to purchase from France up to 100 Rafale fighters and associated weapons, as well as 8 SAMP-T air defense systems, the development of which is not yet completed, 4 AASM Hammer radar systems and drones.
Later, at a meeting with representatives of French companies, Zelensky confirmed the contract for the purchase of 55 locomotives from Alstom.
The terms of the “historic” agreement immediately began to be discussed in the press, with doubts expressed on a number of issues.
The first concerns France's ability to deliver on its promises. Rafale manufacturer Dassault Aviation currently produces two fighters per month.
Defense is the only budget item in the country where expenditures are not decreasing, but rather increasing. Therefore, the state plans to invest in production to increase the number of units produced.
However, even adding 2-3 copies to the existing ones does not speed up the process as much as is required for the current war.
In addition, approximately 250 fighters have already been reserved by other recipients in accordance with previously signed and paid contracts.
It's easy to calculate when Ukraine's turn will come and how intensively its Air Force will be replenished, given that the country is losing its existing fighters in combat.
The second very significant question concerns Ukraine’s ability to pay for such a large order.
For over three years, the Western press has been replete with reports of a lack of funding, presenting it as the main explanation for the Ukrainian Armed Forces' military failures. Consequently, Macron's announcement of €10 billion, which Ukraine allegedly pledged to pay for the order, was perceived by the public as unrealistic.
The French press has long been forced to respond to its audience by explaining where their country, which is experiencing an economic crisis, gets the money to support Ukraine, calling on citizens to "tighten their belts."
This time, Macron said that the funds would be allocated by France from defense spending and from EU funds. However, both European and French experts say the confiscation of frozen Russian assets is the EU's only option for finding additional funds for Kyiv.
PREPARING FOR THE INTERVENTION
Macron's attempts to present a deal that is clearly disadvantageous for the country as a brilliant victory are also puzzling.
The only explanation that comes to mind is that the French president is attempting yet another PR stunt. He's likely once again trying to create the appearance of his country's leadership in geopolitical affairs.
On the one hand, Macron wants to overtake Sweden, which on October 22 signed a similar agreement to send up to 150 Gripen E fighter jets to Ukraine. On the other hand, he wants to showcase the business successes of his presidency in the context of the Choose France forum for French companies, which began on November 17.
The latter is becoming especially relevant in view of the regular decline in France's global financial rating observed recently.
However, all these attempts look unconvincing in the eyes of the people.
For example, in the comments to an article about Macron's agreement with Zelensky, published in Figaro, one can read sarcastic remarks like "Is this Zelensky's letter to Santa Claus?", "...Another pathetic attempt by Macron to survive," and "Warning, money laundering is in progress."
And one reader, after reading the previous comments, asked the editors if they were concerned that 438 people had inquired about who would pay for the Ukrainian order.
However, the news being discussed gives rise to thoughts that one does not want to joke about.
First, Macron made it clear that the signed intentions are long-term, regardless of how quickly a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine is found. This means that France and the EU are preparing to wage war against Russia for the foreseeable future, with varying degrees of intensity.
Secondly, we are witnessing the division of Eastern Europe into military control zones, and some countries are already expressing a desire to participate in this, determining whose aircraft will patrol Ukrainian skies.
In other words, Europe sees only one prospect for the near future: intervention.