Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed an agreement with allies for a European-backed anti-ballistic missile shield as an alternative to the US Patriot system – but the Ukrainian president stressed that Kyiv still needs the American interceptors for now and the coming winter. Zelenskyy said the Freyja defence project, originated in Ukraine, would be developed over the coming 12 months.
“One of the main ways to strengthen our collective position should be a winter package of air defence missiles,” Zelenskyy posted. “We have calculated that this package should include 100 Patriot missiles per month, 300 missiles for the winter.” Donald Trump has promised Ukraine a licence to build Patriot missiles, but although Kyiv has stunned the world with its ability to innovate and muster homegrown weapons production, the interceptors’ extreme complexity and US subcontractors’ slow output of critical parts means production is likely some time away.
As Angelique Chrisafis writes, Ukraine and nine other countries including the UK, Germany and France will build the shared missile protection programme for Europe using Kyiv’s experience in fighting Russia’s full-scale invasion for more than four years. Leaders on Monday met Zelenskyy for talks in Paris. The UK signed up to participate in the EU’s €90bn (£77bn) support loan for Ukraine, meaning UK firms will be able to provide more weapons paid for by the funds.
