Zelensky meeting European leaders in France to discuss Ukraine's anti-ballistic defenses

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Paris on July 13 to meet his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, and other European partners to discuss boosting Ukraine's anti-ballistic missile capabilities.

Zelensky is also scheduled to take part in the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, a U.K.- and French-led group of about 35 nations working together to provide Kyiv with military support amid Russian aggression and to offer post-war security guarantees.

At least 25 leaders are expected to attend today's summit, which is set to focus on addressing Ukraine's critical air defense shortages amid escalating Russian ballistic missile attacks.

The coalition aims to muster additional U.S.-designed Patriot interceptors and discuss further deployment of the French-Italian SAMP/T system, as well as the development of a cheaper European-Ukrainian alternative, Reuters reported, citing undisclosed sources.

The leaders' meeting in Paris saw the launch of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition, a joint effort by Ukraine and nine other countries to develop joint European missile defense capabilities.

The Ukrainian president said the coalition would support the development of the Ukraine-grown Freya air defense project, intended to serve as an equivalent to the U.S.-made Patriot in effectively intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.

"Today, important talks will take place here that can open up significantly greater opportunities for Ukraine to strengthen its defenses," Zelensky said on X upon his arrival.

"We will present our Anti-Ballistic Program to our partners and, for the first time, hold a meeting at the level of leaders, national security advisors, and defense companies from countries that can make a concrete contribution to building a new anti-ballistic system."

The Ukrainian president also said he held "productive" bilateral talks with Macron ahead of the Anti-Ballistic Coalition and the Coalition of the Willing meetings.

"Today, I thanked Emmanuel for his assistance and support throughout these years and awarded the Order of Freedom to the President, a true friend of Ukraine," he added.

"It is important to strengthen Ukraine, reinforce our air defenses, and accelerate the development of Europe's anti-ballistic capabilities. France has precisely the capabilities and advanced technologies needed to help."

On the sidelines, First Lady Olena Zelenska is also expected to meet with the director-general of UNESCO, Khaled El-Enany, to discuss expanding cooperation between Kyiv and the U.N. body, according to Zelensky.

According to the Elysee Palace, today's meeting comes at a "very strong moment of transatlantic convergence and unity" and amid "more favorable dynamics on the ground" for Ukraine.

Russian advances along the Ukrainian front lines have slowed this year as Ukrainian mid-range drones have disrupted Russia's logistics, with Ukrainian defenders allegedly reducing the pace of Russian territorial advances by half.

Ukraine's successes have reportedly impressed even U.S. President Donald Trump, who was said to urge Zelensky to act more boldly to pressure Russia into peace talks, an official previously told the Kyiv Independent.

Trump met European leaders during the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8 and held bilateral talks with Zelensky, confirming that Washington would grant Ukraine a license to produce Patriot missiles to fend off Russian strikes.