Ukraine and nine European countries have agreed to establish an integrated anti-ballistic missile coalition aimed at developing a new missile defence system to counter Russia's growing ballistic missile threat, Reuters reported.
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Leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Ukraine announced the initiative during a summit in Paris on Monday, where governments and defence companies met to advance what they called the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition.
"We believe that the protection of Europe requires a global solution of integrated missile defence architecture to deter and defeat future missile threats — developed through collective effort, technological openness, and trusted industrial cooperation," the leaders said in a joint statement.
"It will complement existing ballistic missile defence systems, including sovereign European solutions already acquired, or to be acquired by participating countries," the statement added.
According to Reuters, the coalition aims to jointly develop a lower-cost European alternative to the US-made Patriot air defence system while strengthening Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian ballistic missiles.
The initiative comes as Ukraine faces increasing pressure from intensified Russian missile and drone attacks. Reuters reported that Kyiv is running critically low on interceptor munitions and has struggled in recent weeks to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles, which travel at several times the speed of sound.
Ahead of the summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said participating countries were expected to formalise the Freyja project, Ukraine's plan to develop a European-backed anti-ballistic missile system.
"The more means Ukraine has to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles, the greater the chance that Putin will come to the negotiating table, as his last argument in this war will no longer work," Zelenskiy said after the announcement.
"Our work on a joint system – Freyja – is not intended to replace existing systems. It is a way to supplement our defence, create a strong shield over the entirety of Europe, and do all of this faster and at a lower cost."
Reuters reported that French officials said the coalition would also explore ways to source additional Patriot interceptors from the United States and accelerate deployment of the Franco-Italian SAMP-T air defence system.
Around a dozen European defence companies, including Eurosam, Leonardo, Thales, Saab and Ukraine's Fire Point, participated in the discussions.
The meeting also focused on tightening sanctions against Russia, including measures targeting Moscow's so-called "shadow fleet" of oil tankers used to circumvent sanctions. According to Reuters, the European Union is expected to adopt its 21st sanctions package against Russia next week.
The coalition further announced plans to conduct joint military exercises to strengthen the credibility of a future multinational force intended to support Ukraine.
"What must be remembered is that the MNFU consists of land, air, sea and training. All of these pillars are intended to be tested continuously, to varying degrees, with all participants in order to guarantee their credibility," a French presidency official said.
"It's not a question of conducting exercises in Ukraine."
