‘Coalition of the willing’ to build shared European anti-ballistic programme | Europe

Ukraine and nine other countries, including Britain, Germany and France, will create a joint anti-ballistic missile protection program for Europe, using Kiev’s experience in fighting against Russia’s large-scale occupation for more than four years.

“Our goal is to create a common ballistic missile defense capability for Europe,” 10 countries said in a statement on Monday, as leaders met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy for talks in Paris.

The announcement comes as the UK also signed up to participate in the EU’s €90bn (£77bn) support loan for Ukraine; This means UK firms can supply more weapons paid for by the funds. This move was the latest move by the EU and the UK to work more closely after the UK left the bloc in 2020 as a result of the Brexit vote.

Following the meeting, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that the Ukrainian Multinational Force, which will be deployed in case of a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, will conduct exercises in neighboring countries in the coming months “to verify our deployment plans and to show that we are ready, determined and reliable.”

Zelenskyy arrived in Paris on Monday to step up efforts with European countries to improve Ukraine’s air defenses before winter, when Russia often intensifies its attacks to deny Ukrainians electricity, heat and water.

He asked the leaders of several European countries to participate in developing countermeasures against Russia’s missile attacks, which have put Ukraine in a difficult situation and left the rest of Europe wary of Moscow’s broader ambitions on the continent.

The anti-ballistic defense coalition, which also includes Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Spain, said it recognized the “growing threat posed by ballistic missiles”, which are harder to stop than cruise missiles or unmanned aerial vehicles.

The anti-ballistic program will include “an integrated missile defense architecture to deter and neutralize future missile threats,” the statement said. “We recognize Ukraine’s unique experience in defending against Russia’s war of aggression.”

However, no time frame was given for the anti-ballistic program. Zelenskyy was also expected to meet with national security advisers and defense companies that might participate.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that Britain’s move to participate in the EU support loan for Ukraine is very important.

“This deal will help ensure Ukraine gets the support it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression, while also supporting British defense companies, supporting skilled jobs and strengthening our national security,” he said in a statement.

According to a joint statement from London and Brussels, the UK will make “a fair and proportionate contribution to the costs arising from borrowing, commensurate with the value of contracts awarded to UK companies”.

Last month, the EU began paying Ukraine a massive two-year loan to buy weapons for its forces and plug budget deficits.

The first €6 billion from the loan will be spent on supporting the production of unmanned aerial vehicles for Kiev forces.

The desperately needed funds come as Ukraine turns the tide of a four-year war by stabilizing the front line and striking deep into Russia.

Macron, meanwhile, warned European countries against stand-alone national defense policies as governments increase military spending in response to the threat from Russia and US pressure to increase military spending.

His comments came a month after the collapse of a Franco-German project to develop a next-generation fighter jet after months of stalemate among defense companies, underscoring industrial rivalries that risk undermining Europe’s drive to rearm together.

“Whenever we create fragmentation, we may feel good at the moment, but we create the delays of tomorrow. Whenever we indulge in 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, France’s national day.