Within the framework of the Sky Shield Initiative (SSI), we advocate for the vast employment of the Western-led combat air patrols (CAPs) over uncontested areas of Ukraine.
Crucially, this strategy will not involve “boots on the ground” of foreign troops in Ukraine as all combat aircraft will operate from European airbases. In its essence, the principal mission of Western combat aircraft would be the protection, in close cooperation with the Ukrainian Air Forces (UKRAF), of designated areas of Ukraine’s airspace from Russian cruise missiles as a matter of priority and loiter munition drones as a secondary task
This initiative entails a coalition of determined Western nations patrolling designated Ukrainian airspace to counter Russian military threats in a non-offensive and non-escalatory manner, thereby reducing the risk of nuclear escalation and paving the way for a stable armistice.
Over time, this initiative could be integrated into existing European frameworks, such as the European Sky Shield Initiative, aligning with Ukraine’s aspirations for EU membership. Alternatively, it could evolve as an extension of the “drone wall” initiative, spearheaded by Poland, the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia), Norway, and Finland. Announced by the Lithuanian government on May 24, 2024, this cooperation aims to establish a coordinated aerial defence network to secure their borders against regional threats.
The IAPZ could complement such efforts, reinforcing Europe’s commitment to collective security—a priority underscored by statements from European leaders on border security and regional defence cooperation during their meeting in Paris on Feb 18th, 2025. Additionally, this approach could serve as a practical step toward Ukraine’s integration into NATO by fostering interoperability between (UKRAF) and Western military systems.
The Sky Shield Initiative won’t end the war alone, but it will relieve pressure on Ukraine’s air defences, help secure its economy and nuclear security, and give its military more room to fight on its own terms. It’s the best way to help Ukraine now without dragging the West into direct combat.
List of signatories
- Chris Alexander – Former MP; former Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Canada;
- Devinder Shory – Former MP, Canada;
- Chris Shapardanov – Former Ambassador to Finland and NATO Liaison Officer, Canada;
- Roman Waschuk – Former Ambassador to Ukraine, Canada;
- George Petrolekas – Colonel (ret.), former Sr Liaison Officer to NATO and ISAF, Canada;
- Peter MacKay – Former Minister of Foreign Affairs (2006-07), Defence (2007-13), and Justice (2013-15), Canada;
- Pavel Fischer – Chair, Committee on Foreign Relations, Security and Defence, Czech Republic;
- Carsten Soendergaard – Former Ambassador to NATO and Russia, Denmark;
- Kalev Stoicescu – Chair of National Defense Committee, MP, Estonia;
- Eerik-Niiles Kross – MP, Estonia;
- Jüri Jaanson – MP, Estonia;
- Karmen Joller – MP, Estonia;
- Katrin Kuusemäe – MP, Estonia;
- Marko Mihkelson – MP; Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee, Estonia;
- Mika Aaltola – MEP, Finland;
- Hannu Himanen – Former diplomat, former Ambassador of Finland to the Russian Federation (2012-2016), Finland;
- Jukka Kopra – Defence Committee Chair, Finland;
- Gilles Chevalier – Contrôleur général des armées (ret.), France;
- Thomas Pellerin-Carlin – MEP, France;
- Julien Bayou – Former MP and former party National Secretary, France;
- Frédéric Petit – Deputy Chair of European Affairs Committee, French National Assembly, France;
- Vincent Desportes – Major General (ret.), French Army and Former Director French War College, France;
- Michael Gahler – MEP, Germany;
- Damian Boeselager – MEP, Germany;
- Kai Tegethoff – MEP, Germany;
- Nela Riehl – MEP, Germany;
- Viola von Cramon-Taubadel – Former MEP, Germany;
- Ferenc Gelencsér – MP, Hungary;
- Lia Quartapelle – Deputy Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee from Camara Di Diputati, Italy;
- Filippo Sensi – Senator, Italy;
- Frederica Onori – MP, OSCE PA delegate, Italy;
- Mārtiņš Staķis – MEP; former Mayor of Riga, Latvia;
- Reinis Pozņaks – MEP, Latvia;
- Juris Vilums – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Committee, Latvia;
- Rihard Kols – MEP, former chair of foreign affairs committee, Latvia;
- Laurynas Kasčiūnas – Deputy Chair of National Security and Defence Committee, Chairman of Homeland Union, Lithuania;
- Ingrida Simonyte – Former Prime Minister, Lithuania;
- Gabrielius Landsbergis – Former Foreign Minister, Lithuania;
- Rasa Juknevičienė – Current MEP, former Defence Minister, Lithuania;
- Žygimintas Pavilionis – Deputy Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee, Lithuania;
- Ivan Vuković – EU Chair of Montenegrin Parliament, Montenegro;
- Anna Strolenberg – MEP, Netherlands;
- Reinier van Lanschot – MEP, Netherlands;
- Laurens Dassen – MP, Netherlands;
- Marieke Koekkoek – MP, Netherlands;
- Aleksander Kwaśniewski – Former President, Poland;
- Michal Kaminski – Deputy Speaker of Polish Senate, Poland;
- Alex Sobel – MP, Chair of Ukraine All-Party Parliamentary Group, UK;
- Graeme Downie – MP, UK;
- David Taylor – MP, UK;
- Luke Akehurst – MP, UK;
- Tim Roca – MP, UK;
- Peter Lamb – MP, UK;
- Phil Brickell – MP, Foreign Affairs Select Committee, UK;
- Scott Arthur – MP, UK;
- Richard Shirreff KCB, CBE – General (ret.); Former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, UK;
- Toby Dickinson – RAF Commander (ret.) and Regional Air Defence Commander, Syria, UK;
- Greg Bagwell – Air Marshal (ret.), Royal Air Force, UK;
- Stewart McDonald – Former MP, UK;
- Alyn Smith – Former MP and MEP, UK;
- Ian Blackford – Former MP, UK;
- Iain Duncan Smith – MP, former party leader, UK;
- John Whittingdale – MP, Foreign Affairs Select Committee, UK;
- Rory Stewart – Former Minister for International Development, UK;
- Brooks Newmark – Former Minister for Civil Society, UK;
- Adam Holloway – Former MP, UK;
- Robert Seely – Former MP, UK;
- Adam Kinzinger – Former Congressman; Lt. Col. in Air National Guard (ret.), USA;
- Philip Breedlove – 4-star General, USAF (ret.); former SACEUR NATO, USA;
- Ben Hodges – Lt. General (ret.), US Army; former Commanding General, United States Army Europe, USA;
- Malcolm Nance – Senior Chief Petty Office (ret.), US Navy, USA;
- Michael C. Ryan – Colonel, USAF (ret.); Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy, USA;
- Terry Virts – Colonel, USAF (ret.); former ISS Commander and NASA astronaut, USA.