The war between Russia and Ukraine, which has lasted more than three years, continues to impact the daily lives of millions of people. One of the most recent Russian attacks had a major impact and caused extensive destruction in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, resulting in dozens of civilian injuries and also raising concerns beyond Ukraine’s borders. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in turn, made a direct appeal to the European mainland, demanding the creation of a joint air defense network to protect not only its territory but the entire continent.
Zelenskyy reinforces call for European cooperation in the face of risks that transcend national borders
In his statement, Zelenskyy emphasized his view that Europeans already possess the technology necessary to build a layered air defense system capable of acting as a kind of defensive shield against missiles, drones, and incoming bombs. According to him, what’s needed now is political will, investment, and joint action.
“Now is the time to implement the joint protection of our European skies with a multilayered air defense system. All the technologies for this are available,” said Zelenskyy on his Instagram account.
Zelenskyy warns that the Russian threat is not limited to Ukrainian territory.
This request from the president was made shortly after a series of intense attacks in several locations, including residential areas in the city of Zaporizhzhia, which resulted in more than 20 buildings being destroyed and a number of people being injured, including children.
Zelenskyy’s concern is not limited to Ukrainian territory, and this was one of his main arguments used to try to convince the creation of an European defense system. Recently, Russian drones crossed Polish airspace, raising concerns within NATO, as Poland is a member of the organization. This event raised concerns that the conflict could also spread to neighboring countries. The proposal for a European defense network, therefore, also appears as a way to provide security to the population.
Ukraine faces relentless drones, glide bombs, and stalled peace talks
Since February 2022, when the full-scale Russian invasion began, Ukraine has been under constant threat and surveillance. Speaking of recent figures, in the last month alone, according to Zelenskyy, Russia has launched more than 3,500 drones, 2,500 glide bombs, and nearly 200 missiles against targets inside the country, causing widespread destruction and impacting the lives of thousands of civilians who have seen their homes, streets, and lives destroyed.
It’s worth highlighting the impact of so-called glide bombs, which are dropped from planes at high altitudes and are notoriously difficult to neutralize. Although they aren’t the most accurate bombs, they are capable of creating very large craters, potentially destroying entire city blocks.
It’s also worth mentioning the diplomatic wear and tear over the past few months. Despite numerous US-led negotiations, a peaceful solution has yet to be found. Ultimatums from US President Donald Trump have had little impact, and the war still shows no sign of ending.
European security at stake as Zelenskyy presses for stronger measures
In addition to calling for a joint air defense system, Zelenskyy also reiterated the need for tougher sanctions against Russia. According to the president, Russia persists in maintaining its rigid stance on attacks only because it has not yet experienced sufficiently painful economic losses.
“Until Russia experiences truly severe losses — above all economic ones — it will avoid genuine diplomacy and an end to the war.” the Ukrainian leader wrote on social media
Zelenskyy’s call for European air defense is simultaneously political, social, and strategic, given the need to protect millions of people in a conflict that no longer respects borders. For other European countries, it’s worth reflecting on the possible threat to the security and integrity of other territories on the continent besides Ukraine.