Ukraine and nine European countries — France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands and Spain — have announced the establishment of an “anti-ballistic missile coalition”. The coalition held its first meeting in Paris on July 13.
A joint declaration by the founding countries says the coalition is purely defensive in nature.
“We do this not against any people, but in defence of our own,” the declaration says.
The founding countries believe Europe needs an integrated missile defence architecture to complement existing systems. They also recognise “the unique experience of Ukraine, gained in defence against Russia’s war of aggression.”
“Powerful and sufficient anti-ballistic capabilities are essential to bring Russia’s war against Ukraine to an end. They are no less important than long-range or medium-range strikes on Russia’s military economy or active operations on the front line. The more capabilities Ukraine has to intercept Russian ballistic missiles, the more likely it is that Putin will come to the negotiating table because his last argument in this war will cease to work,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy stressed the need to create a European system to defend against ballistic missiles. Ukraine is completing work on the FREYJA missile for such a system.
“Ukraine can provide its part — the anti-ballistic missile. We are now completing work on it. Others have radars and other critical components. It is important that we combine our efforts. Today, at the leaders’ level, it is critically important to politically confirm that FREYJA is our joint project,” Zelenskyy said.
He expressed hope that FREYJA would enter service within the next 12 months.
