Frozen Russian Assets to Fund Ukraine’s New 100-Jet Deal with France

Ukraine is moving forward with a plan to use frozen Russian assets to pay for its own defense, earmarking future revenues from the immobilized funds for a “historical” new arms deal with France. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed in Paris that Kyiv will use a G7-backed mechanism to finance the purchase of 100 Rafale jets, air defense systems, and drones. This strategy essentially forces Moscow to bankroll the strengthening of its adversary’s military.
This funding plan is a cornerstone of the 10-year defense pact signed by Zelensky. With Ukraine’s economy battered by war and US aid halted by the Trump administration, finding sustainable funding is critical. The G7 plan, while still being finalized by the EU, provides a clear path to finance the massive, multi-billion-euro agreement without overburdening Ukraine’s domestic budget or relying on a politically volatile US.
The hardware this plan will fund is a direct response to Russia’s escalated air war. Moscow’s forces have hammered Ukrainian cities with missiles and glide bombs, causing blackouts and killing civilians. Zelensky’s top priority is securing more air defenses, and this French pact delivers a comprehensive suite of tools to do just in.
The agreement includes not only the 100 Dassault-made Rafales but also eight units of the advanced SAMP/T air defense system, which Zelensky lauded as “one of the greatest.” The deal also covers new radars and a plan for the joint production of interceptor drones, marking a significant upgrade for Ukraine’s entire security apparatus.
While the Russian asset plan is the headline, the French presidency noted other funds are also available. The EU’s €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) loan fund will also be used to finance the individual contracts as they are signed over the next decade, ensuring the flow of weapons to Ukraine remains stable.