Zelensky Demands NATO Entry, Seeks More Western Weapons Amid Ongoing Conflict
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told a NATO defence industry forum that Ukraine’s military buildup warrants NATO membership. NATO officials noted Russian advances have slowed, but the alliance remains wary of admitting a nation at war with nuclear-armed Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took the stage at the NATO summit to demand Ukraine’s immediate membership, insisting that the country’s new defensive systems would 'make all of us stronger.' Once again, Zelensky pressed European nations to provide alternatives to the U.S. Patriot missile system, underscoring Ukraine’s ongoing reliance on Western military aid and technology.
Zelensky highlighted Ukrainian drone strikes on an oil refinery in Omsk, Siberia, and claimed the war has destroyed Russia’s 'strategic rear.' He touted Ukraine’s new missiles and drones as a 'revolutionary change' in warfare, boasting of a 90% interception rate of Shahed drones and improvements against cruise missiles—while downplaying the risks of escalating attacks deep into Russian territory.
A senior NATO official reported that Russian forces advanced only 3.79 square kilometres per day in June, a fraction of last year’s pace, and continue to suffer 30,000-35,000 casualties monthly. The official also noted Russia launched about 8,300 munitions at Ukraine in May, while Ukraine responded with roughly 10,000 long-range drones, reflecting the scale of the conflict and Ukraine’s aggressive tactics.
Despite Zelensky’s lobbying, NATO members—especially the United States—remain reluctant to admit a country actively at war with a nuclear superpower. The president is scheduled to attend a leaders’ dinner in Ankara and meet U.S. President Donald Trump, who has expressed optimism about a possible settlement, in stark contrast to Zelensky’s push for deeper NATO involvement.
Zelensky warned that Europe still lacks sufficient anti-ballistic-missile capability, citing a recent attack on Kyiv where 23 Russian ballistic missiles struck the capital without interception due to a shortage of U.S. Patriot interceptors. He called for Europe to develop its own production capacity, further tying the continent’s security to the Ukrainian conflict.
At the forum, NATO allies announced more than $50 billion in arms deals and reaffirmed a commitment to raise defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, prioritizing military buildup and entanglement in foreign conflicts over domestic priorities.