Europe Could Establish 'Sky Shield' to Protect Ukraine Independently of NATO

Military experts have updated the European plan for the protection of Ukraine's airspace, the Sky Shield, which could stop Russian missile attacks. It can operate separately from NATO and envisages the deployment of 120 European Air Force fighter jets to protect the skies from Russian attacks on Kyiv and western Ukraine without provoking a wider conflict with Russia, The Guardian reports.

Previous versions of the plan have been discussed without any progress since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, a fresh version of the plan received a new impetus this week after Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met with US President Trump at the White House on Friday. 

Supporters of the plan believe it could potentially become part of the ‘ceasefire in the sky’ proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week.

Gabrielius Landsbergis, former Lithuanian foreign minister, said in a statement: ‘The implementation of the ‘Sky Shield’ would be an important component of a stronger Europe, effectively and efficiently guaranteeing Ukraine's security.’

The plan would cover Ukraine's three operating nuclear power plants, the cities of Odesa and Lviv, in addition to the frontline and eastern Ukraine.

As The Gaze has written, Russia regularly attacks Ukraine with long-range missiles and drones. It is believed that fighter jet patrols can help protect Kyiv. After all, Patriot air defence systems are manufactured in the United States, and their delivery is subject to the White House's supply pause.