Zelensky urges NATO for more air defence missiles at Turkey meeting

Kyiv’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, is set to use the NATO summit in Istanbul, scheduled for early July, as a platform to request additional interceptor missiles for Ukraine’s air‑defence network. The appeal comes as the country continues to confront a high volume of aerial attacks, prompting officials to argue that existing missile‑defence supplies are insufficient to protect critical infrastructure and civilian populations.

At the meeting, Ukrainian delegations are expected to present data on missile‑strike frequency and the performance gaps of current systems, while seeking commitments for new or upgraded interceptors from alliance members. NATO leaders, who have previously approved limited air‑defence aid, are likely to weigh the request against broader strategic considerations and resource constraints, with the summit’s outcomes poised to shape the next phase of Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.