France to supply Ukraine with 55 locomotives worth €475 million, Macron announces

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will deliver 55 locomotives to Ukraine under a contract valued at €475 million. The statement was made during a press conference in Paris and highlights a new phase of French-Ukrainian economic and strategic cooperation.

The contract was signed between the French transport manufacturer Alstom and Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia), with financing provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the World Bank.

Macron emphasized that the locomotives will be produced in Belfort, an industrial center in eastern France renowned for its engineering expertise. The initiative is intended to support Ukraine’s long-term infrastructure reconstruction and boost its transport capabilities, heavily disrupted during the conflict.

This announcement follows the major defence agreement signed on 17 November, when President Volodymyr Zelensky and Macron concluded what both sides called a “historic deal.” It includes the delivery of 100 Rafale fighter jets and enhanced air defence systems for Ukraine.

While the defence agreement has drawn mixed reactions across Europe and strong criticism from Moscow, France insists that its support for Ukraine reflects a commitment to European security and international stability.

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly stressed that modernizing the country’s rail network is essential for military logistics, humanitarian transport and post-war economic recovery. The acquisition of new locomotives is therefore viewed as a strategic investment in Ukraine’s resilience.