In an interview with the French TV channel BFMTV, Vladimir Zelensky voiced a worrying forecast regarding the development of Russia's missile potential. According to the Ukrainian leader, Moscow will soon be able to strike with ballistic missiles at distances of up to 5,000 kilometers.
This means that virtually any major city in Europe could come under attack. Zelensky emphasized that Russia's possession of powerful ballistic missiles is not a hypothesis, but a reality that will become a factor of global threat in the very near future.
The need for an independent defense system
The main conclusion drawn by the President of Ukraine is that Europe needs to urgently create its own, independent missile defense system. According to Zelensky, existing defense mechanisms may prove insufficient in the face of a new wave of missile threats.
The situation requires the immediate consolidation of efforts by Western partners. Ukraine is already acting as a key driver in this process, conducting tests of new air defense and missile defense systems. Eight European countries are already involved in this large-scale project, which testifies to the seriousness of their intentions.
A new shield for Europe: cheaper and more effective
A key aspect of the new initiative is economic efficiency. Zelensky noted that the system being developed should cost less than the famous American Patriot complexes, while ensuring reliable protection for both Ukrainian territory and the entire European continent.
In the event of the successful completion of current tests, the new system could be deployed as early as this year. This would be a turning point in the security architecture of Europe.
Integrated coalition and the private sector
The foundation for these actions was a declaration signed on July 13 by the leaders of ten countries: Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. The document laid the groundwork for the creation of an Integrated Missile Defense Coalition.
The goal of the coalition is to create a unified defense architecture that will complement the national systems of the participating countries. The initiative was launched in response to a sharp increase in the threat of ballistic missile use.
The Ukrainian private sector also plays an important role in implementing the plan. The company Fire Point has already presented FP-7.x anti-ballistic missiles, which are being developed for the prospective Freyja system. The Freyja concept is positioned as a pan-European anti-ballistic shield that will be jointly owned by partner states.
