Ukraine prepares to hold first anti-ballistic coalition meeting

Ukraine is in talks to arrange a meeting of a previously announced European coalition that will focus on developing capabilities to counter ballistic missiles.

Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of a meeting with the German chancellor in Ankara, reported by European Pravda's correspondent

Details: Speaking about the talks held in Ankara, Zelenskyy stressed that he aims to hold talks with the members of the anti-ballistic coalition.

Zelenskyy said the organisation of the coalition meeting was complex, but the first results can already be seen, and discussions are underway with Ukraine's partners to agree on a date for a meeting in this framework.

Zelenskyy did not elaborate, but the context suggests that the meeting will take place at leader level.

These will be the first talks held in this framework. The idea of establishing the coalition was first made public in May, when an adviser-level meeting was held to discuss setting it up. Discussions at that meeting focused on anti-missile production in Europe, but it is not yet known whether the format might also be expanded to include the supply of Patriot interceptors for Ukraine.

Background:

• On 18 June, Zelenskyy announced that a "very important event" was coming up regarding the development of a joint anti-ballistic defence system between Ukraine and its European partners.
• Earlier in June, he said the UK, France and Germany (the E3 diplomatic format) will be helping Ukraine to strengthen its anti-ballistic defence.

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