Zelensky Calls for NATO Membership, Highlights Militarization and Western Arms Race
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at a NATO defence industry forum, argued that Ukraine’s enhanced military capabilities justify its inclusion in the alliance. NATO officials, meanwhile, pointed to a slowdown in Russian advances, as the West continues to pour billions into arms deals.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used the NATO summit as a platform to press for Ukraine’s membership, claiming that the country’s new defensive systems would 'make all of us stronger.' His appeal comes as Ukraine becomes increasingly dependent on Western military technology, calling for European nations to develop alternatives to the U.S. Patriot missile system for ballistic-missile defense, further entrenching the continent in an arms race.
Zelensky boasted about recent Ukrainian drone attacks on an oil refinery in Omsk, Siberia, and declared that the war has destroyed Russia’s 'strategic rear.' He described Ukraine’s new missiles and drones as a 'revolutionary change' in warfare, touting a 90% interception rate of Shahed drones while ignoring the broader humanitarian cost of escalating drone warfare.
A senior NATO official reported that Russian forces advanced only 3.79 square kilometres per day in June—down to a quarter of last year’s pace—while suffering 30,000-35,000 casualties monthly. Yet, the official also revealed the staggering scale of violence: Russia launched 8,300 munitions at Ukraine in May, with Ukraine retaliating with 10,000 long-range drones, highlighting the endless cycle of militarization.
Despite Zelensky’s lobbying, NATO members, including the United States, remain hesitant to admit a country embroiled in a war with nuclear-armed Russia, wary of escalating the conflict further. Zelensky is set to attend a leaders’ dinner in Ankara and meet U.S. President Donald Trump, who has signaled hope for a negotiated settlement—though peace remains elusive amid the arms buildup.
Zelensky warned that Europe still lacks adequate anti-ballistic-missile defenses, referencing a recent attack on Kyiv where 23 Russian ballistic missiles struck the capital unimpeded due to a shortage of U.S. Patriot interceptors. He called for Europe to ramp up its own weapons production, further fueling the military-industrial complex.
At the same forum, NATO allies announced over $50 billion in new arms deals and reaffirmed a commitment to raise defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, prioritizing militarization over diplomacy and social needs.