French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday agreed for Kyiv to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter jets from companies in France, the presidency in Paris said.
The agreement was intended "to equip the Ukrainian army of tomorrow with its own airspace defence capabilities", Mr Macron said at a press conference with Mr Zelenskyy in Paris. "Remember, almost four years ago, President Zelenskyy's first request was precisely to preserve his airspace."
The deal extends over a timeframe of 10 years starting next year, with the delivery of Dassault-made Rafale jets expected to come in its second stage. The first three years will be dedicated to the delivery of drones and precise-guided munitions. Ukraine is also set to receive eight SAMP/T air-defence systems.
"It is a historic agreement and we greatly appreciate France's support in achieving guaranteed security in Europe," Mr Zelenskyy said.
He added that because Ukrainian pilots had already been trained on Mirage 2000 fighter jets – also produced by Dassault – it would take them less than a year to acquire skills for the Rafale jets.
Earlier in the day, the two leaders signed the letter of intent at Villacoublay airbase near Paris after a closed-door meeting with French weapons companies. The briefing was about the Rafale jet, the SAMP-T air defence system, GF 300 radars and drone systems, said the Elysee Palace, seat of the French government.
During the signing ceremony, French military equipment had been laid out for display for Mr Zelenskyy and his team on the airport tarmac, including the Rafale jet. Firm sales agreements are expected be made only when contracts are finalised between Ukraine and French manufacturers.
Sales of Rafale jets are for France a source of national prestige as it seeks to lead European military sales in the face of US competition. In January, the UAE received its first batch of French fighter jets under a $17.31 billion defence deal.
Mr Zelenskyy and Mr Macron are expected to also attend a forum at the Elysee on the joint production of drones.
The visit of the Ukrainian President is part of a brief tour of western allies. Mr Zelenskyy sealed an energy deal with Greece on Sunday and is set to visit Spain on Tuesday. Speaking on X before he headed to Paris, Mr Zelenskyy promised a "significant strengthening" of Ukraine's "combat aviation, air defence and other defence capabilities."
Asked how the deals would be financed, Mr Macron gave few details. "The duration of funding will depend on the deployments and will use shared mechanisms," he said. Political and budgetary instability in Paris have raised questions over how much the country can do, while Ukraine alone cannot afford such purchases.
Some equipment is expected to be financed by European mechanisms set up to support Ukraine. Another option is using funds derived from Russian assets frozen in Europe. This necessitates an EU-wide agreement that has been under discussion for months and has stumbled on worries in Belgium, which houses most of the assets, that it will expose itself to Russian lawsuits in international courts.
In the past three years, Europe has allocated €177 billion ($205.3 billion) to Ukraine, while the US has contributed €114.6 billion, the Kiel Institute in Germany has said.
European capitals have also been concerned by a fresh corruption scandal in Ukraine involving energy companies and members of the government. The alleged ringleader of the money-laundering scheme, Timur Mindich, is reported to be close to the President. Mr Macron said he was confident that his Ukrainian counterpart could improve Ukraine's anti-corruption track record.
Speaking Saturday, France's Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Benjamin Haddad, said governments had to be "extraordinarily vigilant" about corruption, as Ukraine presses its case to join the EU.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m
8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
