Зеленский призвал Европу за год создать систему противоракетной обороны

Volodymyr Zelensky has said that it is necessary to create a European system of protection against ballistic missiles within a year.

According to him, Ukraine is already holding talks with a number of countries, although he did not name the specific participants in those consultations.

The initiative comes amid Kyiv’s efforts to reduce its dependence on American interceptors and growing concerns about the reliability of international arms supplies. At the same time, the goal appears extremely ambitious: creating a full-fledged missile defense system in just one year would require not only political coordination, but also major technological, financial, and industrial resources.

Zelensky called the task “extremely difficult, but realistic.” Earlier, he had already said he intended to discuss a joint air defense system with European partners, stressing that Ukraine’s security should become part of Europe’s overall security architecture.

In a nightly address on April 16, he also said that Ukraine is working to expand its own capabilities in missile defense and hopes to establish joint production of air defense systems with foreign partners. However, the question remains open as to how quickly such plans can move from political statements to practical implementation.

In recent weeks, Zelensky has intensified his diplomatic contacts in Europe. In particular, he visited several capitals and secured new promises of military and financial support, including a defense package from Germany and additional aid from Norway. Germany, according to reports, has also approved deliveries of Patriot missiles and accelerated work on a joint anti-ballistic missile defense project.

The Ukrainian side also points to cooperation with Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden. In addition, Fire Point, the company producing the Flamingo cruise missile, said it is in talks with European partners about developing a cheaper air defense system that could begin production as early as next year.

The urgency of such initiatives is explained by the continuing large-scale strikes on Ukraine. According to the Associated Press, from November to March Russia used 27,000 Shahed drones, about 600 cruise missiles, and 462 ballistic missiles against Ukraine. Against this backdrop, Kyiv fears that escalating tensions in the Middle East could lead to a reduction in supplies of American Patriot missiles, which are regarded as one of the key means of defense against ballistic attacks.

Zelensky has named new arms packages, licensing agreements, and the creation of Ukraine’s own industrial base for producing air defense systems among the possible long-term solutions. However, experts generally note that projects of this kind require not only political will, but also many years of sustained financing, cooperation, and technological preparation.