Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and eight other European countries have announced the creation of a coalition in the field of missile defense. The move was set out in a joint declaration.
The participants are Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
“Today, we announce the start of a defensive coalition against ballistic missiles. We believe that Europe’s protection requires a comprehensive solution in the form of an integrated missile defense architecture capable of deterring future missile threats,” the document says.
The declaration separately highlights the “unique experience of Ukraine” gained while defending itself against Russia’s aggressive war.
The countries now plan to set up working groups and begin drafting a road map to assess existing capabilities. The future common missile defense architecture is expected to complement the missile defense systems already operated by the participating states.
The statement was published on the same day that the “coalition of the willing” summit is being held in Paris. According to the announcement, at least 25 heads of state arrived for the meeting, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The gathering is taking place on the eve of Bastille Day.