Ukraine and Nine European Countries Announce Coalition to Develop Shared Ballistic-Missile Defense

Ukraine and nine European countries announced on July 13, 2026, the formation of a coalition to develop a shared ballistic-missile-defense capability for Europe. The ten nations—Ukraine, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom—issued the statement during talks in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted the Coalition of the Willing summit at the Hôtel des Invalides.

Attendees included German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. “Our goal is to build a shared ballistic missile defense capability for Europe,” the statement said. ” The statement set no timetable for establishing the system and said the plan remained open to other countries.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine and its partners could jointly develop a mass-produced, low-cost antiballistic system within the next 12 months. A Russian drone attack struck a residential building in Zaporizhzhia late on July 12, causing a fire. Ukrainian forces reported striking 105 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov between July 6 and 13, while Russian officials said air defenses downed 350 Ukrainian drones aimed at Moscow since late Sunday.