Ukrainian Allies Meet in Paris to Expand Air Defense Aid

Central Message

(CNA, Paris, 13th – Comprehensive foreign news) Leaders of Western allied nations supporting Ukraine met in Paris today to seek further commitments for air defense systems. Despite recent shifts in the battlefield situation between Russia and Ukraine, ammunition shortages have made it increasingly difficult for Ukraine to intercept Russian ballistic missiles.

According to Reuters, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders from at least 25 countries attended the 'Coalition of the Willing' meeting. This is part of a broader diplomatic effort to consolidate a common stance on negotiations with Russia and to establish security guarantees supporting a future peace agreement.

Ukrainian officials reported that on November 11, Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, killing eight people and injuring dozens. President Zelenskyy called on the international community to accelerate weapons deliveries to Kyiv.

A French presidential official told media that the meeting's focus would be on anti-ballistic missile cooperation, including securing more U.S. Patriot interceptor missiles, accelerating the deployment of the Franco-Italian SAMP-T air defense system, and exploring how European and Ukrainian defense industries could jointly develop alternative systems.

One of the options under consideration is for European countries to collaborate on building a system complementary to SAMP-T or Patriot, with Ukraine playing a key role in the production process.

Ukraine's existing systems face severe ammunition shortages, leaving it nearly powerless over the past month to shoot down ballistic missiles traveling at several times the speed of sound.

Attending leaders will also discuss ways to reduce Moscow's revenue, particularly targeting the 'shadow fleet'—tankers with opaque ownership structures used to evade regulations and transport Russian oil.

The European Union is expected to adopt its 21st round of sanctions against Russia next week.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that several major announcements would be made today, some involving bilateral cooperation, potentially including joint arms production.

He also noted that as the 'Coalition of the Willing' advances the concept of a 'Multinational Force for Ukraine' (MNFU), the coalition may announce joint military exercises. (Translation: Hung Pei-Ying) 1150713

Stand with facts. Your support safeguards press freedom.

Download CNA's 'First News' app for real-time updates.

Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, or transmitted without authorization.