NATO Summit in Ankara: Zelensky Seeks Air Defense Support Amid Escalating Russian Strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed NATO allies at their summit in Ankara, Turkey, urgently requesting additional air defense systems as Russia escalated missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities. The appeal came as Russian missiles struck Kyiv at least twice in less than a week, hitting residential blocks and killing more than 50 civilians in total.

Ukraine's air defenses successfully intercepted drones and cruise missiles during recent attacks but failed to intercept any Russian ballistic missiles. Zelensky attributed Ukraine's inability to stop ballistic missiles to an insufficient supply of Patriot interceptor missiles, and called on European allies to transfer their Patriot stockpiles to Ukraine. "We can handle everything else ourselves," he told the summit, "but on air defense, we need our partners' determination."

Ukraine has escalated long-range drone attacks against Russia, targeting oil refineries and military infrastructure. The campaign has caused fuel shortages and power cuts inside Russia, marking a significant expansion of Ukraine's operational reach beyond its own borders.

Russia has targeted Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, including power stations, for years throughout the conflict. Zelensky warned ahead of the summit that Russian intelligence indicated a new massive strike was being prepared to coincide with the NATO gathering in Ankara.

Center-left outlets reported that President Trump met with Zelensky at the Ankara summit, with The Guardian characterizing the encounter as constructive — a positive contrast to their previous contentious Oval Office meeting. During the summit, Trump announced that the US would give Ukraine the right to manufacture Patriot missiles under a licensing deal, praising Ukraine's weapons production capabilities. However, The Guardian noted that Trump had not yet informed the Patriot missile manufacturer, Raytheon/RTX, of the licensing arrangement at the time of his announcement.

BBC News reported that Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone for 90 minutes in the days before or during the NATO summit. The Guardian reported that Trump discussed developing postwar Ukraine and accessing its economic potential during the summit, while also making critical remarks about the EU, stating the bloc has "treated us very badly for years and took advantage," while referencing "trillions" in investments.

BBC News alone reported that Zelensky also discussed Ukraine producing its own equivalent to the Patriot air defense system with NATO assistance, suggesting a longer-term approach to closing Ukraine's air defense gap beyond immediate transfers from allied stockpiles.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte declared the Ankara summit "tremendously successful," citing stronger alliance unity, Trump's leadership, increased European and Canadian defense spending, and reaffirmed support for Ukraine. The Guardian reported that Rutte stated NATO allies reaffirmed "unwavering support for Ukraine" and committed to continuing to ensure Ukraine gets what it needs, including reaffirming Article 5. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that NATO emerged from the summit "stronger and more united," and reported Trump praised the spirit and unity of the meeting.

The Guardian reported that Trump used a "kids fighting in a park" metaphor that appeared to disregard the distinction between aggressor and victim in the Russia-Ukraine war, and also talked about his personal relationship with Putin. This framing contrasts with the broader summit messaging of unwavering NATO support for Ukraine as the victim of Russian aggression.

BBC News reported that Ukrainian drones have reached as far as Omsk in Siberia — approximately 2,500 kilometers from Ukraine's border — including a confirmed hit on an oil refinery there. The outlet also reported that Ukrainian drones are striking military logistics, oil refineries, and power plants in Crimea nearly every day, causing power cuts, fuel and food shortages, and prompting an official state of emergency in the peninsula. Ukrainian drones also struck an oil terminal in St Petersburg ahead of Putin's economic forum in June, and struck a refinery in Moscow, creating viral explosion videos.

BBC News reported that Moscow's mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated Russian anti-air defenses intercepted "most" of approximately 430 Ukrainian drones fired at Moscow overnight. Russia accuses Ukraine of "terrorism" for striking Russian oil refineries with drones, a characterization Ukraine has not accepted.

France 24 reported a territorial dispute in the Donetsk region: Moscow announced its forces had captured Kostyantynivka, a town with approximately 78,000 inhabitants before Russia's 2022 invasion, while Zelensky stated fighting was continuing and rejected the Russian claim.

The Guardian reported on several bilateral meetings Trump held at the summit. Trump met with Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa and praised Syria's stability and track record. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated she does not regret pursuing partnership with Trump, attributing it to her belief in Western unity, while acknowledging recent tensions in the Trump-Meloni relationship. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez characterized US-Spain relations and military cooperation as "optimal and positive," despite Trump's recent trade threats against Spain.

The Guardian reported that Rutte stated Trump is "generally right" on warnings about defending the Arctic, and that NATO has stepped up its activities in the Arctic region. The next NATO summit will be held in Albania, though the exact timing has not yet been decided.

The Guardian noted that Trump confused Iran with Japan during the summit, referring to "the Islamic Republic of Japan" in his remarks. Fox News reported that Zelensky and senior NATO and EU leaders, including South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, European Council President António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, were expected to have dinner with NATO leaders on Tuesday of the summit.