European Anti-Ballistic Missile Alliance: 9 European countries and Ukraine form the Anti-Ballistic Missile Alliance
PARIS: Nine European countries and Ukraine announced an alliance on Monday to develop “purely defensive” anti-ballistic capabilities in Europe, citing the growing threat from ballistic missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a meeting of allies in Kiev on Monday in Paris to reiterate support for his country and increase pressure on Russia to end the war, now in its fifth year.“We believe that protecting Europe requires a global solution for an integrated missile defense architecture to deter and defeat future missile threats,” Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement.“By bringing together our defense industrial base, our research and our operational experience, we aim to build a shared anti-ballistic missile capability for Europe,” the statement said.“We are not doing this against anyone, but to defend ourselves,” the statement added, citing the “unique experience of Ukraine,” whose air defenses have been hit by Russian ballistic missiles several times in recent weeks. At least 25 heads of state will attend the Paris conference, and some of them will stay to participate in the military parade on July 14, a national public holiday in France. This year’s military parade will highlight support for Ukraine.(AFP)
