European leaders convened in Kyiv to address Ukraine’s pressing need for enhanced air-defense systems as Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities grow more severe. The gathering, known as the Coalition of the Willing, is spearheaded by Britain, France, and Germany, with participation from other European leaders via remote connections. EU Council President Antonio Costa is also present for the discussions.
As missile strikes from Russia increasingly target Kyiv and other urban areas, causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage, Ukraine has been vocally urging its international allies to bolster its defenses with additional air-defense systems and interceptor missiles. This meeting aims to formulate strategies to provide such support and to exert further pressure on Russia.
Among the anticipated outcomes, Britain is set to declare its support for Ukraine, while France is planning to boost local production of the long-range SCALP missile. Furthermore, France has committed to supplying more interceptor missiles to enhance Ukraine’s defensive capabilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has noted a significant decline in the delivery of Patriot interceptor missiles, with 675 received in 2023, dropping to 364 in 2025, and current estimates for 2026 at 264. With winter approaching, Ukraine is seeking to secure at least 300 interceptors.
The dependency of Ukraine on sophisticated Western air-defense systems has become more pronounced as they work to counter Russian ballistic missiles, which pose a considerable interception challenge. European allies are thus exploring avenues to increase the supply of these critical defenses while simultaneously tightening sanctions and diplomatic pressure on Moscow.