European leaders are convening in Kyiv to address Ukraine’s urgent air-defense needs and strategize on escalating pressure against Russia amid a surge in deadly attacks on Ukrainian cities. This significant gathering, known as the Coalition of the Willing, is spearheaded by Britain, France, and Germany, with various other European leaders joining the discussions remotely. The talks also see the participation of EU Council President Antonio Costa.
Recent Russian missile strikes have increasingly targeted Kyiv and other urban centers, resulting in civilian casualties and considerable damage to residential areas. In response, Ukraine has persistently appealed to its allies for enhanced air-defense capabilities, including additional systems and interceptor missiles, to safeguard its populace.
In a show of support, Britain is expected to announce new aid for Ukraine, while France plans to establish local production of the long-range SCALP missile. Furthermore, France has committed to supplying more interceptor missiles to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted a significant decline in the delivery of Patriot interceptor missiles, pointing out that Ukraine received 675 of these missiles in 2023, which dropped to 364 in 2025, with only 264 projected for 2026. Kyiv is requesting at least 300 interceptors in preparation for the upcoming winter season.
As Ukraine continues to rely heavily on advanced Western air-defense systems to counter Russian ballistic missiles, which pose substantial interception challenges, European allies are focusing on increasing supply lines while simultaneously maintaining diplomatic and economic pressure on Moscow.