Ukraine's President to Press NATO for Air Defence Systems
Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, intends to use the upcoming NATO meeting in Turkey to urge Kyiv's allies to provide the urgently needed air defence systems to protect the country from intensifying Russian attacks.
Zelensky's appeal gains heightened urgency following two missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital within a week, which struck residential blocks and resulted in over 50 civilian deaths.
The summit in Ankara will also offer Zelensky a critical opportunity to meet with Donald Trump, reinforcing his argument that Russia's "brutal" attacks signify weakness rather than strength, and that Vladimir Putin should be pressured into negotiations aimed at a "dignified" peace.
Escalation of Strikes and Ukrainian Counterattacks
The recent Russian strikes coincide with Ukraine intensifying its own long-range drone attacks on Russian territory, targeting oil refineries and military installations. These attacks have caused significant fuel shortages and power outages within Russia.
Underscoring the threat, Moscow's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, reported that anti-air defences intercepted "most" of the 430 unmanned aerial drones launched by Ukraine towards Moscow overnight. The extent of the damage remains unclear.
Russian social media is filled with videos showing people queuing for hours to purchase petrol and engaging in disputes over limited supplies.
On the eve of the NATO summit, Zelensky expressed hope that the meeting in Turkey would not be "empty."
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged member states to "pull their weight" and ensure Ukraine receives the necessary support "to defend its sovereignty." He emphasized that Kyiv is "changing the dynamic on the battlefield," referring to efforts to halt Russian ground forces in the east.
This shift is also linked to recent Ukrainian drone strikes, which appear to provide Ukraine with a tactical advantage.
The phrase "window of opportunity" has become prominent in discussions surrounding the conflict.
Challenges Posed by Russian Ballistic Missile Attacks
Despite intensified aerial warfare, Russia's ballistic missile strikes present significant challenges for Kyiv.
Ukraine's air force issues daily reports detailing the number of weapons launched by Moscow and those intercepted.
On Monday, nearly all drones were successfully intercepted, but the missile interception rate was notably insufficient. Ukraine failed to stop any ballistic missiles during that attack.
Ballistic missiles travel at several thousand kilometres per hour, and Ukraine currently lacks sufficient US-made Patriot air defence missiles to counter them effectively.
"It is simply absurd that, in today's world, production has still not been scaled up to the level actually required to protect people from ballistic terror," Zelensky stated in a video address on Monday, expressing his frustration.
He has repeatedly called on European allies to provide their stockpiles of Patriot missiles, arguing that unused missiles in storage serve no purpose while civilians are being killed in Ukraine.
"Russia is placing its bets on ballistic weapons, and those who want peace must place their bets on protection against ballistic attacks," Zelensky asserted, outlining his position ahead of the Ankara meetings.
However, Patriot systems are in limited supply globally, and it remains uncertain how many would suffice if Russia escalates its ballistic missile campaign further.
Consequently, Zelensky also advocates for Ukraine to develop its own equivalent systems with NATO assistance.
Russian Response to Ukrainian Deep Strikes
The Russian missile attacks suggest that Ukraine's deep strikes are impacting the Kremlin.
After years of Russia targeting Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, including power stations during winter, Moscow now accuses Kyiv of "terrorism" for its drone attacks on Russian oil refineries.
Zelensky describes these accusations as an "influence campaign" and intends to share detailed information with NATO allies.
The objective is to pressure Putin into peace talks on terms acceptable to Kyiv, which do not include surrendering the entire eastern Donbas region as Moscow demands.
High-Profile Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Territory
The Ukrainian campaign has targeted prominent locations.
St Petersburg was struck by drones ahead of Putin's economic forum in June. Subsequently, Moscow itself experienced strikes, with explosion videos gaining viral attention.
More recently, an oil refinery in Omsk, Siberia, located 2,500 km from Ukraine's border, was confirmed hit. The drone responsible likely flew undetected for several hours, indicating the stretched state of Russia's air defences.
Ukraine's "influence" operations also extend to Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Putin in 2014 and of personal significance to him.
Ukrainian drones now regularly target military logistics, oil refineries, and power plants in Crimea, causing power outages, fuel and food shortages, and prompting an official state of emergency.
A local resident described the situation to the BBC as "catastrophic," reminiscent of the turbulent 1990s following the USSR's collapse.
One of Putin's major claims is that he "saved" Russia from that chaos, elevating the country "from its knees."
Now, his full-scale war is bringing risks even to Moscow through drone strikes and widespread fuel rationing.
Zelensky's Appeal to NATO and Trump
Zelensky plans to communicate to NATO and seek to persuade Trump that Ukraine has shifted the war's momentum and that its pressure campaign, with international support, can compel Russia to engage in meaningful peace negotiations.
Trump has recently expressed admiration for Ukraine, although he spoke with Putin for 90 minutes by phone this week, allowing the Russian leader to present his perspective first.
Kyiv's primary goal is to end the war swiftly, either through "strength or diplomacy," before another harsh winter arrives.
To achieve this, Zelensky will argue that Ukraine requires additional interceptor missiles to safeguard its cities and civilians.
- Ukraine warns of interceptor missile shortage as 23 killed in Kyiv region
- Why Ukrainian strikes on annexed Crimea are a blow to Putin
- Putin makes rare admission of fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian strikes
