European leaders are convening in Kyiv to address Ukraine’s urgent need for air-defense systems amid escalating Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. The Coalition of the Willing is spearheading the discussions, with Britain, France, and Germany taking the lead and other European leaders participating remotely. EU Council President Antonio Costa is also present at the talks.
Recent Russian missile strikes have increasingly targeted Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine, leading to civilian casualties and the destruction of residential areas. In response, Ukraine has consistently urged its allies to supply additional air-defense systems and interceptor missiles to safeguard its population from these aggressive assaults.
During the meeting, Britain is anticipated to declare its support for Ukraine, while France plans to initiate local production of the long-range SCALP missile. Furthermore, France has committed to providing additional interceptor missiles to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities against these threats.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has highlighted a significant decrease in the delivery of Patriot interceptor missiles. Ukraine received 675 such missiles in 2023, but this figure dropped to 364 in 2025, with current forecasts for 2026 predicting just 264 missiles. In light of the approaching winter, Kyiv is requesting at least 300 interceptors to bolster its defenses.
Ukraine’s defense strategy relies heavily on advanced Western air-defense systems to effectively counter Russian ballistic missiles, which are notoriously challenging to intercept. European allies are exploring various strategies to increase the supply of these essential systems while maintaining pressure on Moscow to cease its aggressive actions.