'Coalition of the willing' to establish joint anti-ballistic missile programme to strengthen Europe's security

Ukraine and nine European countries, including the UK, Germany and France, have agreed to work together on a joint ballistic missile defence programme aimed at strengthening Europe's security, drawing on Kyiv's experience gained during more than four years of defending itself against Russia's full-scale invasion.

The announcement was made on Monday during a meeting in Paris between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.

"Our goal is to build a shared ballistic missile defence capability for Europe," the 10 participating nations said in a joint statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the proposed Multinational Force for Ukraine, intended for deployment if a ceasefire is reached between Ukraine and Russia, will begin military exercises in neighbouring countries in the coming months.

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Zelenskyy's visit to Paris focused on strengthening Ukraine's air defence capabilities ahead of winter, when Russia has historically intensified attacks targeting critical infrastructure such as electricity, heating and water supplies.

The Ukrainian president urged European leaders to expand cooperation in countering Russian missile attacks, which have devastated Ukrainian cities while heightening concerns across Europe about Moscow's broader security threat.

What is the new defence collaboration?

The new missile defence coalition also includes Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Spain. In their joint statement, the countries said they recognised "the growing threat posed by ballistic missiles", noting that such weapons are more difficult to intercept than cruise missiles or drones.

The initiative will establish "an integrated missile defence architecture, to deter and neutralise future missile threats", the statement said. "We recognise Ukraine's unique experience, gained through its defence against the war of aggression waged by Russia."

No timeline was announced for the programme's implementation. Zelenskyy was also expected to hold meetings with national security advisers and defence companies that could contribute to the project.

How EU is helping Ukraine

The European Union began disbursing the two-year €90 billion loan programme last month to help Ukraine purchase weapons and address budget shortfalls. An initial €6 billion has been earmarked to expand drone production for Ukraine's armed forces.

The additional funding comes as Ukraine has recently managed to stabilise parts of the frontline while carrying out long-range strikes inside Russia.

Separately, Macron urged European governments to avoid pursuing isolated national defence strategies, warning that fragmentation could undermine efforts to strengthen the continent's collective military capabilities.

His remarks followed the collapse last month of a long-running Franco-German project to develop a next-generation fighter jet after months of disagreements between defence companies, highlighting the industrial competition complicating Europe's rearmament plans.

"Every time we create ‌fragmentation, we may feel ‌good in the moment, but we are creating the delays of tomorrow. Every time we pander ‌to nationalism, in France or elsewhere, we misunderstand our own history. Patriotism, yes; nationalism, never," Macron said in his annual address to the French armed forces on the eve of Bastille Day.