ZELENSKIY proposes a joint aerial defense shield with allied nations to counter Russia

Monday, September 29, 2025 -Ukraine has formally proposed the establishment of a joint aerial defence shield with its allies to fortify protection against threats emanating from Russia, stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday. The proposal follows a series of airspace incursions that have heightened concerns along NATO's eastern flank.

NATO leaders have asserted that Russia is engaging in actions designed to test the alliance's readiness and resolve, citing recent airspace violations in Poland and the Baltic states. Kyiv contends that its extensive experience in mitigating aerial threats would be invaluable to such a cooperative effort.

Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum via video link, President Zelenskiy declared: "Ukraine proposes to Poland and all our partners to build a joint, fully reliable shield against Russian aerial threats."

"This is possible. Ukraine can counter all kinds of Russian drones and missiles and if we act together in the region we will have enough weapons and production capacity," he added.

Ukraine has already indicated its willingness to have its troops and engineers train their Polish counterparts in effective counter-drone strategies. Defence cooperation with Kyiv was a prominent theme at the annual security forum in Warsaw.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the need for integration, telling the conference that "Europe's and Ukraine's defence industry must work together more closely and effectively."

He also urged regulatory reform: "The European Union must back this by providing a much more flexible regulatory framework for the defence industry in Europe."

Following the Russian incursions into NATO airspace, eastern flank nations have reached consensus on the necessity of a "drone wall," which would feature advanced capabilities for detection, tracking, and interception.

 However, Minister Pistorius cautioned that the realization of this project would be a protracted process.

"We're not talking about a concept that will be realised within the next three or four years," he stated. "We need to prioritise, and recognise that we require more capabilities and capacities than previously described."