Ukraine, nine European states form missile defence coalition
The Paris initiative aims to build a lower-cost European system to help Ukraine counter Russian ballistic missiles.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Ukraine and nine European countries have launched a joint effort to strengthen defences against Russian ballistic missiles, Al Jazeera, AFP and Reuters reported. The move matters because Kyiv says its current air defences are under growing strain as Russia keeps using high-speed missiles and drones against Ukraine.
The announcement came Monday in Paris, where leaders met under the “Coalition of the Willing” format to discuss military support for Ukraine and ways to increase pressure on Russia to end the war, according to Al Jazeera, AFP and Reuters. The war is now in its fifth year.
Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom took part in the new Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition, the leaders said in a joint statement. A dozen defence companies also joined the discussions, according to Al Jazeera, AFP and Reuters.
Plan focuses on a European-built shield
The coalition’s work includes developing an anti-ballistic missile system intended to offer a less costly alternative to the US-made Patriot system, Al Jazeera, AFP and Reuters reported. The leaders said the project would support existing missile defence systems rather than replace them.
In their statement, the 10 countries said Europe needs an integrated missile defence structure built through joint work, open technology and trusted industrial cooperation. They said the system would complement European missile defence tools that countries already have or plan to buy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pressed allies for more weapons and urged Europe to work with Kyiv on a shared anti-ballistic defence system, according to Al Jazeera, AFP and Reuters. Before the Paris meeting, Zelenskyy said several countries were expected to formalise the Freyja project, Ukraine’s proposed European-backed alternative to Patriot.
After the announcement, Zelenskyy said that the more systems Ukraine has to intercept Russian ballistic missiles, the greater the chance that Russian President Vladimir Putin would enter talks. He said Russia’s missile threat was “his last argument in this war.”
Zelenskyy said Freyja was designed to add to existing defences and help create a shield across Europe faster and at lower cost. He said the project was not meant to replace current systems.
Macron announces additional military steps
French President Emmanuel Macron said at the talks that Ukraine had ordered new Franco-Italian air defence systems, according to Al Jazeera, AFP and Reuters. Macron also said the order included 16 Rafale fighter jets that would operate in 2028 and 2029.
Standing alongside Zelenskyy, Macron said Ukraine had received a licence to produce French missiles, including SCALP cruise missiles, according to Al Jazeera, AFP and Reuters. He also said Ukraine’s allies had agreed to start military exercises in countries bordering Ukraine.
Macron described those exercises as part of planning for a multinational force that would deploy after any ceasefire with Russia, according to Al Jazeera, AFP and Reuters.
European leaders met as Ukraine faces heightened exposure to Russian ballistic missiles, which fly at several times the speed of sound, Al Jazeera, AFP and Reuters reported. The war has also raised concern in Europe about the wider threat posed by Russia.
Ukraine has carried out increased drone attacks inside Russia, hitting shadow fleet tankers, oil facilities and weapons factories, according to Al Jazeera, AFP and Reuters. Russia has responded with more missile and drone attacks against civilian targets in Ukraine, killing dozens, including at least four people last weekend, the outlets reported.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.