Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and others are joining forces with Ukraine to create an anti-ballistic missile coalition

Eduardo González The leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom joined forces with Ukraine in Paris on Monday to announce the launch of the “Coalition Against Ballistic Missiles,” a “purely defensive” initiative to develop anti-ballistic capabilities. “We, the leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom, recognizing the growing threat posed by ballistic missiles and the increasing importance of defensive capabilities for the security of the European continent, announce today the launch of a purely defensive coalition against ballistic missiles,” a “flagship project to work tirelessly on developing an anti-ballistic missile capability,” begins the Joint Declaration, adopted this Monday in Paris within the framework of the meeting of the Coalition of Volunteers for Ukraine, in which the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, is participating. “Europe’s security is also built on innovation and collaboration with businesses,” Pedro Sánchez posted on social media. “Spain is joining the Ballistic Missile Defense Coalition to further strengthen our shared capabilities. Cooperation is the best way to face the challenges of the present and the future,” he added. “Faced with the ballistic missile threat, we are making a clear choice: to protect Ukraine, strengthen our collective security, and build a Europe of defense,” wrote French President Emmanuel Macron. “With the launch of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition, we are reinforcing the capabilities that Europe needs,” he affirmed. “The Coalition of Volunteers is meeting in Paris. We are accelerating our support for Ukraine. Strengthening its defense, increasing pressure on Russia, and building the security guarantees for tomorrow: our unity is our strength, our determination, our credibility,” Macron added in a subsequent message. Integrated missile defense architecture “We believe that protecting Europe requires a comprehensive solution, in the form of an integrated missile defense architecture, to deter and neutralize future missile threats, developed through collective effort, technological openness, and trusted industrial cooperation,” the Declaration continues. “It will complement existing ballistic missile defense systems, including sovereign European solutions already acquired or to be acquired in the future by participating countries,” it specifies. “By combining our defense industrial base, our research and operational expertise, our goal is to build a shared ballistic missile capability for Europe and support relevant contributing activities,” it adds. “This action is not directed against any people, but in defense of our own,” the Declaration asserts, acknowledging “Ukraine’s unique experience in defending itself against the Russian war of aggression.” Through this Declaration, the signatory countries aim to “establish common operational requirements, joint technical working groups, clear governance mechanisms, and a roadmap toward the Coalition’s initial operational capabilities, in accordance with our respective constitutional provisions and international obligations.” “We will seek to support joint research and development activities under the flagship project, including seeking appropriate funding opportunities and promoting improved data and information sharing,” the text continues. “The founding members of the Coalition are Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom,” but “the Coalition remains open to other nations that share its principles and objectives,” it concludes. The Coalition of Volunteers is an initiative launched in March 2025 by France and the United Kingdom, which has since been joined by 35 countries (mostly European, as well as Canada, Australia, and Japan), including some 20 heads of government, to review progress on security guarantees for Ukraine and analyze the collective strategy toward Russia. The objective of this meeting, as announced last Wednesday by French President Emmanuel Macron at the conclusion of the NATO Summit in Ankara, is to strengthen military support for Ukraine with new initiatives in defense, security, and industry. In this regard, according to Macron, the main purpose of the meeting of volunteers is to respond to the legitimate request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding ballistic missiles and air defense, and to mobilize industries from several of our countries that are fundamental to Ukraine's security in the area of ballistic missiles.

Related Content

The Coalition of Volunteers supports “direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia,” with “active participation” from the US and Europe

Albares demands Feijóo “disavow Rajoy” and Barrot denounces the former president’s “stupidity and racism”

Spain asks the EU to ban trade with illegal settlements in the West Bank

The first rotation of the START hospital returns from Venezuela, having treated more than 1,800 patients

Decisive week for the Gibraltar Treaty: Demolition of the Fence, signing in Brussels, and provisional application