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Zelensky and Nine European Leaders Announce Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition While Ukraine Reports Strikes on Russian Oil Sites
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined leaders from nine European countries on July 14 to launch a coalition aimed at developing shared missile-defense capacity. The group identified support for Ukraine's FREYJA system as its first priority and secured manufacturing licenses for several weapons.
Jul 15, 3:27 PM·1m read3 sources
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined leaders from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom in Paris on July 14 to announce formation of an anti-ballistic missile coalition. The group said it would develop shared capacity through collective effort, technological openness and trusted industrial cooperation.
The coalition's initial focus is support for Ukraine's FREYJA anti-ballistic missile system, developed by Fire Point, a Ukrainian manufacturer founded in 2022.
Fire Point also produces Flamingo cruise missiles and FP-1 strike drones. The company signed an agreement last month with German radar maker Hensoldt. Zelensky named Sweden's Saab, Germany's Diehl Defence and French firms Thales and Safran as participants.
He said the partners can build the system at scale over the next 12 months. Zelensky secured licenses from France to manufacture Safran's AASM Hammer bombs, SCALP cruise missiles and Aster-30 surface-to-air missiles. Ukraine will also receive Franco-Italian SAMP-T systems and 16 French Rafale fighter jets.
On July 15 Zelensky hosted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Kyiv. He said he expects financial support from the EU for Ukraine's Anti-Ballistic Missile Program. Last week at the NATO summit in Ankara, European member states and Canada committed an additional $80 billion in military equipment, assistance and training for Ukraine.
During a bilateral meeting at the summit, President Trump announced he would give Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot missile systems. Zelensky said teams are now working to implement the agreement.
