Announcement of the new anti-drone coalition was made at the start of Monday's meeting in Paris of the "Coalition of the Willing" of 37 Ukraine-supporting countries.
"By combining Ukraine's experience of facing Russian missile attacks with Europe's leading defence industries, where Saab is included for Sweden, we are strengthening Europe's air defence and increasing our security," says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) in a written comment to TT.
In addition to Sweden and Ukraine, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom participate in the anti-drone coalition.
French fighter planes
According to Zelenskyy, the coalition is based on the Ukrainian defence project Freya and is intended to bring together a wide range of European systems to build a European alternative to US Patriot missiles.
"A historic day for all of us," Zelenskyy said at a press conference afterward.
Ukraine and France have also drawn up a "roadmap" for 16 French Rafale fighter jets to be delivered to Ukraine, no earlier than 2028-29.
Gripen on parade
The meeting also included pledges of joint exercises soon for the international force promised by the "Coalition of the Willing" to monitor a possible future ceasefire in Ukraine.
"It will take place in Ukraine's neighbouring countries to evaluate our deployment plans and show that we are ready, determined and credible," French President Emmanuel Macron said at the press conference.
The unity will also be showcased during Tuesday's French National Day parade, when 500 soldiers from other European countries will be on site in Paris, including 25 Ukrainian soldiers at the very front. Swedish military will also participate in the form of Gripen planes from F7 in Såtenäs and 21 soldiers from P7 in Revingehed.
"In this fog of war, France does not stand alone. Europe is becoming a force," Macron said in a speech to the French army earlier on Monday.
“With our blood”
In the speech, Macron emphasised that continued French rearmament is a way to continue supporting Ukraine at the same time.
"Our message to the world is as follows: yes, peace is our goal. Yes, we value freedom and justice. Yes, we are ready to always defend it even with our blood, if necessary," the president said, according to Le Monde newspaper, among others.
However, from Russia, the response was one of scorn.
"It's about a coalition of fanatics and warmongers," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the newspaper Le Figaro.
