Mykhailo Fedorov: Ukraine offers European countries joint projects to develop anti-ballistic solutions

Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Mykhailo Fedorov called on European partners to pool efforts to develop counter-ballistic capabilities, maintain funding for the PURL programme, and ensure the swift and flexible use of EU financial assistance.

During a videoconference with representatives of the European Group of Five (E5) countries — France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom — Mykhailo Fedorov discussed priorities for strengthening missile defence.

The videoconference was attended by Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz; Germany’s Federal Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius; France’s Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Catherine Vautrin; the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas; and the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Radmila Šekerinska.

Mykhailo Fedorov stated that Europe’s defence industry urgently needs to expand manufacturing capacity for counter-ballistic systems, as current production volumes remain critically low.

Ukraine proposed launching joint projects with European countries to develop and manufacture counter-ballistic solutions. The Minister of Defence also noted that Ukraine is already implementing its own initiatives in this area.

Mykhailo Fedorov further underlined the need to sustain funding for the PURL programme, noting that it remains a critical channel for securing PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems.

The Minister expressed gratitude to partners for the specific decisions adopted at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein format) meeting. He also thanked Boris Pistorius for launching additional deliveries of PAC-3 missiles, noting that Ukraine has already begun receiving them under the agreed framework.

“Delivering on agreements within hours is an example of how we should operate,” Mykhailo Fedorov emphasised.

He also said that Ukraine is preparing proposals to increase economic pressure on russia, including asymmetric measures targeting russia’s “shadow fleet”. Ukraine is counting on European leadership to deliver these measures.

Particular attention was paid during the discussions to the importance of the swift and flexible use of the EU defence loan for Ukraine. According to the Minister of Defence, these funds must serve the central aim — bringing the war to a successful conclusion for Ukraine.