Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on May 16 that France is prepared to collaborate with Ukraine on developing a ballistic missile defense system. This information was shared via his Telegram channel following a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Zelensky indicated that their discussions encompassed a wide range of topics, emphasizing coordination on various fronts. He expressed gratitude to Macron for France’s firm condemnation of Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and communities, stating, “These strikes clearly demonstrate what Russia is and why we all need to strengthen our collective defense against all threats. France is ready to work on anti-ballistic measures. This is a strong decision and an important step. We also discussed enhancing our capabilities to repel Russian attacks immediately.”
“These strikes clearly demonstrate what Russia is and why we all need to strengthen our collective defense against all threats. France is ready to work on anti-ballistic measures. This is a strong decision and an important step. We also discussed enhancing our capabilities to repel Russian attacks immediately,” Zelensky stated.
In addition to defense matters, Zelensky mentioned discussions regarding Ukraine’s European integration and the opening of all negotiation clusters with the European Union in the near future. He noted that Macron had informed him about his upcoming visit to African countries, highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts in that region, which is also significant for Ukraine.
“Emmanuel informed me about his visit to African countries. We talked about the importance of joint coordination in this area, as it is also crucial for Ukraine. We agreed on our contacts in the near future,” Zelensky added.
Zelensky has previously requested the United States to grant licenses for the production of Patriot air defense systems. In a December 2024 interview with Le Parisien, he mentioned that there seemed to be no opposition to this request, yet he noted, “we still have not received anything.” At that time, he assessed Ukraine’s need for 10 to 12 units of the Patriot system.
On February 17, 2026, Zelensky remarked that Europe could enhance its air defense more swiftly if licenses for missile production were granted, although the U.S. ultimately did not agree to this. In late March, he indicated that Ukraine is working on the possibility of producing its own ballistic missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed France's commitment to assist Ukraine in developing a ballistic missile defense system. Discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron also covered Ukraine's European integration and the importance of coordinated efforts in various regions.