Ten European Nations Agree to Build Missile Shield Amid Russian Threat
Ukraine, together with nine European countries, has formed a new coalition to build an integrated ballistic missile defence system to counter the increasing threat of Russian attacks. The initiative was announced at a meeting in Paris on Monday (20/7/2026), amid growing European concerns over Moscow’s ballistic missile capabilities and the escalation of the war, which has now lasted more than four years.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the coalition’s goal is to build a joint ballistic missile defence capability for Europe by utilising Ukraine’s experience in facing Russian attacks. “Our goal is to build a joint ballistic missile defence capability for Europe,” read a joint statement from Ukraine, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
In the statement, the participating countries noted that ballistic missiles have become an increasingly serious threat because they are far more difficult to intercept than cruise missiles or drones. “We believe that the protection of Europe requires a comprehensive solution in the form of an integrated missile defence architecture to prevent and neutralise future missile threats,” the statement read.
The coalition has not yet set a deadline for the construction of the system. However, Zelenskyy expressed optimism that Ukraine, together with its partner countries, could develop a low-cost ballistic missile defence system that could be mass-produced within approximately 12 months. The system is expected not only to meet the defence needs of European countries but also to be supplied to other nations requiring protection from missile threats.
The formation of the coalition comes as Russia continues to intensify military pressure on Ukraine. On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that Moscow would retaliate against any Ukrainian attack with far greater force. “Wherever they try to strike Russian territory, we will respond in kind, but our strikes will be many times more powerful,” Putin said during a meeting with pro-Kremlin activists.