Ukraine Presses Its Case at NATO Summit
Volodymyr Zelenskyy used NATO’s annual summit to argue that Ukraine should not remain outside the alliance after building one of Europe’s most battle-tested defence systems during its long war against Russia.
Defence Capabilities at the Centre
The Ukrainian president said his country now produces or operates almost all the weapons it needs, with one major gap remaining: European support to develop an alternative to U.S. Patriot systems against ballistic missile attacks.
Zelenskyy Questions Ukraine’s Exclusion
Speaking at NATO’s defence industry forum, Zelenskyy asked whether it made sense to leave outside the alliance a country with Ukraine’s level of defensive capability. He argued that Ukrainian experience should become part of NATO’s collective defence, making the alliance stronger.
Membership Still Remains Distant
Ukraine is now in the fifth year of resisting Russia’s invasion, but its NATO membership goal remains politically difficult. Several allies, including the United States, remain unwilling to bring a country at war with nuclear-armed Russia into the western military alliance.
Russian Advance Slows Sharply
A senior NATO official said Russian forces advanced 3.79 square kilometres per day in June, around a quarter of the rate recorded a year earlier. The same official said Russian forces continue to suffer between 30,000 and 35,000 casualties per month.
Ukraine Expands Long-Range Strike Capacity
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s long-range drones had recently reached an oil refinery in Omsk, Siberia, around 1,680 miles, or 2,700 kilometres, from Ukraine’s border. He said the war had removed the idea that Russia could rely on a secure strategic rear because of its size.
New Weapons Change the Battlefield
The Ukrainian president described missiles and drones as “a revolutionary change” in modern warfare. He said Ukraine had developed these systems not out of choice, but because it had been forced to defend its country, people and children.
Air Defence Remains the Urgent Gap
Zelenskyy said Ukraine has pushed its interception rate against Shahed drones to “more than 90%” and is improving its ability to stop cruise missiles. Ballistic missiles remain the most difficult threat, especially as Patriot interceptor supplies have become strained.
Kyiv Attack Highlights Patriot Shortage
On Monday, at least 15 people were killed in Kyiv after Russia launched 23 ballistic missiles at the capital. None were intercepted because Ukraine lacked enough U.S. Patriot interceptors, whose stocks fell sharply after the U.S. attack on Iran in the spring and the subsequent Middle East war.
Europe Urged to Build Anti-Ballistic Systems
Zelenskyy said Europe urgently needs its own ability to produce anti-ballistic systems and the missiles required for them. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that between 1,060 and 1,430 Patriot interceptor missiles were used during the Iran war. Each takes about two years to make, while Lockheed Martin produces roughly 600 a year of the advanced PAC-3 version.
Russia Increases Missile and Drone Output
A senior NATO official said Russia launched about 8,300 munitions at Ukraine in May alone, including 8,150 drones and 211 missiles. Ukraine responded during the same month by launching 10,000 long-range drones at Russia.
Oil Refineries and Crimea Under Pressure
According to the NATO official, Ukraine has disabled around 20% of Russia’s oil-refining capacity through deep strikes. The use of medium-range drones against Russian logistics has also weakened Moscow’s position in Crimea, where reports have pointed to a state of emergency.
Trump, Zelenskyy and Putin in Focus
Zelenskyy is expected to attend a leaders’ dinner on Tuesday evening at the Turkish presidential palace compound in Ankara. He is also due to meet Donald Trump on Wednesday lunchtime. Trump spoke separately with Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin over the weekend, while expressing hope that mediation efforts could move the war toward a settlement.
NATO Defence Deals Expand
Zelenskyy spoke as NATO members announced more than $50 billion in arms deals at an industry event. The commitments follow pressure from Trump for allies to raise defence spending. A year earlier, NATO members agreed to lift defence expenditure to 3.5% of GDP by 2035.
