European leaders are convening in Kyiv to address Ukraine’s urgent need for air-defense systems amidst escalating missile attacks on its cities by Russia. The gathering, known as the Coalition of the Willing, is spearheaded by Britain, France, and Germany, with other European leaders joining remotely. The President of the EU Council, Antonio Costa, is also present for the discussions.
As Russian missile strikes increasingly target Kyiv and other urban centers, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to residential buildings, Ukraine is urging its allies to supply more air-defense systems and interceptor missiles. The need for these defenses is critical to protect the civilian population from the intensifying attacks. Britain is expected to declare additional support for Ukraine, while France is set to initiate local production of the long-range SCALP missile and has promised to supply more interceptor missiles to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed concern over the declining deliveries of Patriot interceptor missiles. The country received 675 such missiles in 2023, with a decrease to 364 projected for 2025, and only 264 expected in 2026. With the approach of winter, Kyiv is seeking at least 300 interceptors to fortify its defenses.
Ukraine’s reliance on advanced Western air-defense systems remains substantial, especially given the challenge of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. These missiles pose a significant threat due to their difficulty to counter. In light of this, European allies are exploring options to enhance the supply of defense systems while maintaining diplomatic and strategic pressure on Moscow.