©picture alliance / NurPhoto | Beata Zawrzel
Volodymyr Zelensky plans to once again urge NATO to provide more air defense for Ukraine at the NATO summit in Turkey, as Russian airstrikes continue to intensify 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 blocks and killing more than fifty civilians. Zelensky called those attacks “brutal” and said they demonstrate Moscow’s weakness, not its strength.
In Ankara, Zelensky also plans to speak with Donald Trump. He is expected to argue there 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. Ukraine generally manages to shoot down most drones, but ballistic missiles remain a major problem. They travel so fast that the available Patriot systems offer only limited protection, while the global supply of interceptor missiles is scarce. At the same time, Ukraine is trying to exert more pressure on Russia itself using long-range drones. Russian refineries and military targets have been hit, causing fuel shortages and power outages in parts of Russia. Zelensky hopes this campaign will push Moscow toward talks on a peace agreement that Kyiv can accept.
The core of Zelensky’s message is clear: without adequate air defense, Ukraine will struggle to survive the coming winter. With additional support from NATO, Zelensky aims to buy time, protect cities, and force Russia into negotiations.
©picture alliance / NurPhoto | Beata Zawrzel