Ukraine, 9 Other Countries Form Coalition to Protect Against Ballistic Missiles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the leaders of nine other countries announced a new coalition on Monday to protect Europe from the threat of ballistic missiles.

The 10 countries issued a joint statement recognizing “the growing threat posed by ballistic missiles” as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues into its fifth year. The statement came as the leaders of multiple European nations met with Zelenskyy in Paris to show support for Ukraine and to discuss ways to provide additional protection for Europe. 

Monday’s meeting establishing the Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition in Paris included Zelenskyy and the leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

“Our goal is to build a shared ballistic missile defense capability for Europe,” the 10 nations said in the joint statement. “We believe that protecting Europe requires a comprehensive solution, in the form of an integrated missile defense architecture, to deter and neutralize future missile threats.”

The joint statement recognized Ukraine’s “unique experience” in countering ballistic missiles over the past four years following Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

In a social media post on Monday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine has not always had the capability it needs to intercept ballistic missiles.

“That is why we launched a new Anti-Ballistic Missile Program that includes coordination across the political, governmental, and industrial dimensions and can deliver anti-ballistic weapons at scale: the system and the missiles for it,” he said.

While the joint statement issued on Monday did not give a time frame for the development of the joint defense system, the Ukrainian president said the coalition of European countries could build the system needed to provide protection against ballistic missiles over the next year.

The 10 nations participating in the Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition said the joint project would complement the existing ballistic missile defense systems already acquired or planned to be acquired by individual countries. The statement said the missile defense plan would also remain open to other countries.

“I invite everyone who is interested and can add to our joint work to join us,” Zelenskyy said in a social media post. “We need to move as quickly as possible and do this work well. We can do it.”

The formation of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition was part of a broader summit of over 30 countries in Paris. The meeting, described by Zelenskyy as the “Coalition of the Willing,” appeared to be both a demonstration of support for Ukraine and a warning to Russia.

Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, said Russia would be closely following Monday’s summit in Paris.

“This is a coalition of warmongers,” he said. “They are driven by the profound delusion that it’s possible to inflict a strategic defeat on our country, so this is a coalition of the deluded, a coalition of those who incite the war.”

Monday’s summit in Paris came just one day after Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine was “changing its political strategy.” As part of the change, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stepped down from her position. Zelenskyy said he offered her an opportunity to “lead a new and important area of relations with a key partner.”

“I remain ready to serve the Ukrainian state and carry out every task aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position, defending our national interests, and bringing a just peace closer,” Svyrydenko said in a statement on social media.

During a bilateral meeting with Zelenskyy last week, U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States would grant Ukraine a license to manufacture its own supply of Patriot air defense systems. Ukraine has repeatedly used Patriot air defense systems to defend against Russian aerial attacks.

“That’s pretty cool, right? This way, he can’t complain that we’re not giving them enough. Let’s say, ‘make them yourself.'” Trump said at last week’s NATO summit in Turkey.

Zelenskyy said on Monday that the most important defense systems used to protect Ukrainians from Russia’s ballistic missiles are Patriot missiles.