Missile defence shield: a coalition of nine European countries is formed. Macron: “Kiev intends to acquire 16 Rafale fighter jets and Samp/T air defence batteries”

A new step towards the long-awaited common European defence: more than nine European countries, including Italia, have formed a coalition aimed at developing a missile defence shield on the Old Continent.

A group of leading nations that includes – alongside Rome – France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and Denmark. All of them have rallied in support of Volodymyr Zelensky’s Ukraine.

“Faced with this threat, we are making a clear choice: to protect Kyiv, strengthen our collective security and build a Europe of defence. And with the launch of the anti-ballistic missile coalition, we are strengthening the capabilities that Europe needs”, wrote French President Emmanuel Macron in a message on X. He held two separate meetings in Paris: the first with Zelensky and the nine countries participating in the newly formed anti-missile coalition at the Quai d’Orsay (with Italia represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani) and the second, much broader meeting, with the 37 member states of the Coalition of the Willing at the Hôtel des Invalides.

Meanwhile, from Moscow, Vladimir Putin is once again threatening even fiercer action following the recent massive attacks on Kyiv: these Russian attacks on Ukraine will continue in response to the raids by Kyiv’s forces, and will be “much more powerful”.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Peskov has bluntly branded the Volenterosi as a “coalition that incites war”. The aim of the new European anti-ballistic coalition is to develop “purely defensive” anti-missile capabilities in Europe, against a backdrop of a “growing threat”. “We believe that the protection of Europe requires a comprehensive solution based on an integrated defence architecture to deter and defeat future missile threats,” reads the joint statement signed by the nine states participating in the initiative.

“By pooling our defence industrial base, our research and our operational experience, the aim is to build a shared capability,” the signatories continue, emphasising that “this action is not directed against any people, but is intended to defend our own”. The document also states that the coalition remains “open to other nations that share its principles and objectives”.

Meanwhile, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has announced that London has also joined the EU’s €90 billion loan package in support of Ukraine. Brussels finalised the agreement with the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, on the sidelines of the ‘Willing’ summit. “This will enable Ukraine to draw on a wider range of suppliers in the defence sector. In this way, it will be able to procure what it needs on the battlefield,” the head of the European Commission pointed out.

And on the eve of the 14 July celebrations, addressing the armed forces, Macron stated that France and the Europeans are ready to defend “freedom and justice”, even “at the cost of blood if necessary”. “Europe is becoming a power,” continued the President, adding: “The message we are sending to the world is this: yes, peace is our goal. Yes, we love freedom and justice. And yes, we remain ready to fight to defend them at all times.”

France and Ukraine have drawn up a “roadmap” for Kyiv’s acquisition of 16 Rafale fighter jets and the associated weaponry – “the first of which are expected to take to the skies over Ukraine as early as 2028–2029”. This was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron. To strengthen Ukraine’s air defences, Kyiv will also acquire “an initial batch of new-generation Samp/T batteries, to complement the systems – and their associated missiles – due for delivery in the coming weeks”, added the Head of State at the conclusion of a summit in Paris of the “coalition of the willing”.The multinational force set to be deployed in Ukraine once the fighting has ceased will begin training in “neighbouring countries” in the “coming months”, announced French President Emmanuel Macron. “Today we have decided to carry out exercises in the coming months... They will take place in countries bordering Ukraine to validate our deployment plans and demonstrate that we are ready, determined and credible,” Macron said at the end of a meeting of the “coalition of the willing” in Paris.

The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has announced that he has reached an agreement with the US President, Donald Trump, on licences for the production of Patriot air defence systems. “President Trump and I have reached an important agreement on licences to produce Patriot systems. Our teams are now working to implement this truly historic political agreement. We have worked long and hard to achieve this result,” Zelensky wrote on X. The Ukrainian leader emphasised the need to diversify Europe’s defence capabilities to strengthen the continent’s security. “The more diversified our defence is, the more difficult it will be for our enemies to undermine security in Europe,” he said, adding that we need to “step up” the production and development of systems such as Patriot, Samp/T, Iris-T, Nasams and the European Frejya project. “I believe that Europe can equip itself with sufficient protection against any ballistic threat,” Zelensky added, emphasising that the continent “can also become a major contributor to global security”.