Nine nations form European anti-ballistic missile defense alliance in Paris

A coalition consisting of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine met in Paris to establish a defensive alliance focused on anti-ballistic missile capabilities. The initiative aims to integrate industrial bases, research, and operational experience to enhance European missile defense against ongoing aerial threats. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the summit to present a specific anti-ballistic program designed to protect Ukrainian airspace from Russian missile attacks. The participating leaders emphasized in a joint statement that the alliance is strictly defensive in nature and not directed against any specific nation. The meetings included heads of state, national security advisors, and representatives from the defense industrial sector. While the stated goal is collective European security, the effort specifically addresses Ukraine's urgent need for advanced air defense technology. No specific timeline for the deployment of these systems was provided in the initial announcement.