©picture alliance / NurPhoto | Jakub Porzycki
Fear of an imminent Russian threat appears to be growing in many countries. And this is also translating—primarily due to some pressure from U.S. President Trump—into increased defense spending. Following the NATO summit in Ankara with the leaders of the 32 NATO Member States, the Ukrainian president warns that Russia could indeed attack a NATO country in the near future.
A two-day NATO summit is currently taking place in the Turkish capital, Ankara. Representatives from the 32 NATO member states will focus their discussions on converting higher defense budgets into additional capabilities, long-term support for Ukraine, and the consequences of the crisis surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. The Ukrainian president wants to use this opportunity to once again ask for more support.
Volodymyr Zelensky intends to once again press for more air defense capabilities for Ukraine at the NATO summit in Turkey, as Russian airstrikes continue to ramp up the pressure on Kyiv. The Ukrainian president wants to convince his allies that additional interceptor missiles and Patriot systems are essential to protect civilians and cities from the escalating missile and drone attacks.
The appeal comes at a time when the war in the skies continues in full force. According to Ukraine, Russia struck the capital twice in less than a week, with missiles hitting residential buildings and killing more than fifty civilians. Zelensky called those attacks “brutal” and said they primarily demonstrate Moscow’s weakness, not its strength.
Ukraine needs U.S. air defense
In Ankara, Zelensky also plans to speak with Donald Trump. He is expected to argue that Vladimir Putin can only be forced into serious negotiations if Russia remains under pressure and Ukraine receives sufficient protection to continue fighting. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has already called on Member States to take responsibility and provide Kyiv with what it needs to defend its sovereignty. The need for air defense is urgent.
Attack on a NATO Member State?
Volodymyr Zelensky warns that Russia could expand the war beyond Ukraine if it fails to make breakthroughs on the battlefield. In an interview with The Financial Times, the Ukrainian president said there are indications that Moscow might consider an attack on a NATO country in 2027. Sources who spoke with the newspaper suggest that President Vladimir Putin may be counting on a strategic advantage as long as U.S. President Donald Trump remains in office and point to Trump’s repeated dissatisfaction with the support provided by some NATO allies.
©picture alliance / NurPhoto | Jakub Porzycki