France and Britain are discussing the possible termination of their “one in, one out” migration agreement, a French interior ministry source said on Wednesday, raising questions over a key arrangement aimed at reducing small-boat crossings across the English Channel.

“We are discussing the terms of withdrawal from the agreement with the British,” the source said, without providing a reason for France’s decision to seek an end to the arrangement. Neither France’s interior ministry nor Britain’s Home Office immediately provided further details.

The agreement came into force in August 2025 as a pilot scheme designed to deter people from making dangerous journeys across the Channel in small boats. Under the arrangement, Britain could return eligible people who had arrived by small boat to France. In return, France would transfer an equivalent number of eligible people to Britain through a legal route, subject to identity, security and eligibility checks.

The arrangement was extended in 2026 through an exchange of letters between the two governments.

The scheme established time limits for returns. Britain was expected to return an eligible person within 14 days of their arrival, while transfers into Britain were subject to the necessary checks and documentation. Unaccompanied minors and people considered to present certain security risks were excluded from the French return arrangements.

Official British figures show that 1,087 people had been returned to France under the agreement by June 30, 2026, while 1,117 people had been transferred from France to Britain.

The arrangement has formed part of wider cooperation between the two countries on Channel migration. In April, Britain and France also announced measures to increase patrols, intelligence sharing and other operations intended to disrupt people-smuggling networks and reduce crossings.

The possible withdrawal comes as both governments continue to face pressure over migration across the Channel. Thousands of people have attempted the crossing in small boats, prompting increased cooperation between French and British authorities.

A French interior ministry source did not explain whether the discussions reflected concerns over the operation of the agreement, its results or wider migration policy.

The British government has not confirmed whether it is seeking changes to the arrangement or whether negotiations are focused on a possible replacement.

Any decision to end the agreement would affect one of the mechanisms created by the two governments to manage small-boat arrivals and provide an alternative legal route for some people with connections to Britain.

For now, discussions between the two governments are continuing, with the terms and timing of any possible withdrawal yet to be announced.

Several explosions were heard in Kyiv early Tuesday as Ukrainian air defence systems responded to an air raid alert, with authorities warning that ballistic missiles were approaching the Ukrainian capital.

AFP journalists in Kyiv reported hearing loud blasts as the Ukrainian Air Force warned that new ballistic missiles were heading towards the city. Journalists also reported a combined attack involving drones and missiles.

Kyiv has faced increasingly frequent Russian drone and missile attacks in recent weeks, with strikes occurring both during the day and overnight. The latest assault came hours after a large wave of Russian attacks across Ukraine that caused deaths and injuries in several regions.

On Monday, Russian drones struck the National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv. The attack killed two people and injured 24 others, according to reports from Ukrainian authorities and international news agencies. The academy is located in the historic centre of the capital, close to government buildings, cultural sites and diplomatic facilities.

The wider attacks on Monday killed at least 10 people across Ukraine and injured more than 80, according to Reuters. Russian forces also carried out strikes in cities including Dnipro and Kharkiv, with residential and business areas among the locations reporting damage.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said missile debris landed in the courtyard of a residential building in the capital during the early Tuesday attack, while a non-residential structure caught fire in another part of the city.

The attacks have increased pressure on Ukraine’s air-defence network as Russian forces continue to use large numbers of drones alongside ballistic and other missiles. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned that newer Russian jet-powered drones are faster than traditional systems and can be more difficult to intercept.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called on Ukraine’s Western allies to provide additional air-defence equipment. Last week, he renewed his request for more US-made Patriot interceptors, which Ukrainian officials regard as important for defending against powerful ballistic missiles.

The latest strikes come as the war enters another winter and Ukraine prepares for continued attacks on cities and critical infrastructure. Ukrainian authorities have warned that sustained Russian attacks could place additional pressure on the country’s energy system as temperatures fall.

Kyiv’s air-defence forces remain on alert as authorities assess the damage from the latest wave of attacks and monitor for additional missile and drone threats.