Ukraine and nine other countries announce new ballistic missile defence coalition
Ukraine and nine European countries have agreed to create a new anti-ballistic missile defence coalition, according to a joint declaration published on Monday.
“We believe that the protection of Europe requires a global solution of integrated missile defence architecture to deter and defeat future missile threats,” reads the statement, which was signed by Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the UK.
The announcement also acknowledges the “unique experience of Ukraine, gained in defence against Russia’s war of aggression”. At this stage, the countries say, they plan to create working groups and begin developing a “roadmap towards the Coalition’s first operational capabilities”.
The coalition is likely to establish a common missile defence architecture to complement member states’ existing anti-missile systems.
The statement was published on the same day as a meeting in Paris of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, a group of European countries that support Ukraine. At least 25 heads of state attended the gathering, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The meeting was held on the eve of France’s Bastille Day.
