A new step towards a common European defense : nine countries, including Italy , have formed an unprecedented coalition aimed at developing an anti-missile shield in the Old Continent . As for the multinational force destined to be deployed in Ukraine once the fighting has ceased, it will begin training in "neighboring countries" in the "coming months," while Kiev will acquire 16 Rafale fighter jets and Samp/T defense batteries from its allies: these, in summary, are the main results announced at the end of the two important meetings of the Willing held in Paris on the eve of the National Day of July 14 , this year focused on the defense of Ukraine and the "strategic awakening of Europe."
The first meeting, held at the Quai d'Orsay, featured Macron, Zelensky, and a vanguard of nine countries belonging to the newly formed anti-missile coalition, including Italy, represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. The second, much larger summit was attended by the 37 countries belonging to the Coalition of the Willing at the nearby Hôtel des Invalides, the monumental (and military) complex housing Napoleon's tomb.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin has once again threatened even more ferocious action following the recent massive attacks on Kiev, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has bluntly branded the Willing as a "coalition inciting war."
"Today we decided to conduct exercises in the coming months... They will be held in Ukraine's neighboring countries to validate our deployment plans and demonstrate that we are ready, determined, and credible," Macron said, speaking at the end of the summit alongside Zelensky, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Macron also noted that Paris and Kiev have drawn up a "roadmap" for Ukraine's acquisition of 16 Rafale fighter jets and related weapons—"the first of which should take to the skies over Ukraine as early as 2028-2029."
To strengthen Ukraine's air defenses, Kiev will also acquire "a first batch of next-generation SAMP/T batteries, to complement the systems—and related missiles—scheduled for delivery in the coming weeks," he noted. "We need air defense missiles: it's a daily need, and I ask you to focus on this support," Zelensky wrote in a Telegram message.
Nine European states—Italy, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Denmark—are participating in the anti-missile shield. They are all aligned in support of Kiev and Europe. "Faced with the threat, we make a clear choice: to protect Kiev, strengthen our collective security, and build a Europe of defense. And with the launch of the anti-ballistic missile coalition, we are strengthening the capabilities Europe needs," Macron wrote in a message published on X, while Tajani spoke to journalists gathered in Paris today in a "very positive tone. For the first time, with the declaration on ballistic protection agreements, we have taken a step towards European defense, which also involves Ukraine and the United Kingdom."
Meanwhile, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that London would also join the 90 billion euro EU loan to support Ukraine .
(Unioneonline)
