Ukraine clapped hands with France for support in the development of anti-ballistic defense. “A firm decision and an important step”
France is ready to cooperate with Ukraine in the development of an anti-ballistic defense system, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday after a telephone conversation with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, according to The Kyiv Independent.
“France is ready to work on anti-ballistic measures. This is a firm decision and an important step. We discussed strengthening our capabilities to repel Russian attacks right now,” Zelenskiy said.
The dialogue between the two leaders comes in the context of the Russian attacks that targeted Ukraine in recent days. On May 14, Moscow's missiles and drones killed 24 people and wounded 48 others in Kiev, a blow that US President Donald Trump suggested would hurt talks to end the conflict.
“An Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition”
As Russia continued to strike Ukraine from a distance, Kiev tried to persuade its allies to strengthen the country's defenses. On May 12, according to President Zelenski, representatives of several states met to discuss the production of anti-ballistic weapons in Europe.
“We are forming an anti-ballistic missile coalition. It is the right thing to do, and now we are closer than ever to achieving this goal,” the Ukrainian president said at the time.
Zelenski said the meeting on ballistic missile defense cooperation was attended by representatives from 13 countries and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
In April, the Ukrainian leader stated that he was convinced that Ukraine would eventually produce anti-missile defense systems with European partners.
