Zelenskyy at NATO summit: Ukraine's defence capabilities would strengthen the Alliance

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine should become part of NATO because its military capabilities would strengthen the Alliance's collective security.

Source: Zelenskyy's address at the NATO summit

Details: Zelenskyy asked summit participants whether they truly believe it is right to leave a country that has already demonstrated military capabilities of the calibre needed to strengthen the Alliance's collective security outside NATO.

Quote: "If we already have these capabilities, if Ukrainians already know how to fight like this, then it does make sense for these capabilities to become a part of the Alliance's collective defence."

Details: The president said Ukraine has proved that it is a reliable partner, making its accession into the Alliance "natural".

Zelenskyy also noted that Ukraine will continue to share a border with Russia for a long time to come, meaning that its accession to NATO would strengthen the Alliance's overall defence capabilities.

He added that Ukraine has shattered Russia's belief that it possesses an untouchable strategic rear.

Quote: "Just yesterday, Ukrainian drones broke through Russia's defences and struck a Russian oil refinery in Siberia. And this is not an exception. It's the new reality. And there is no major oil refinery left in Russia that has not been struck by Ukraine."

Details: Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine is not fighting for geopolitical influence or territorial conquest, but solely to defend itself against Russian aggression while increasing the cost of the war for Moscow, thereby improving the prospects for peace.

The president added that Ukraine's air defence currently intercepts around 90% of Russian Shahed drones.

He also presented the Drone Deal initiative to Kyiv's partners, describing it as a programme that involves not only the procurement of drones but also their joint production: "Drone Deal is not only about buying drones but also about co-production, fast-track access to the means of protection of critical infrastructure, air defence and security cooperation".

According to Zelenskyy, the European Union, Türkiye, Azerbaijan and the Gulf states have already joined the initiative.

The president also called on Ukraine's allies to strengthen protection against ballistic missiles. He stressed that Russia's ability to carry out ballistic missile strikes remains its "last major advantage" and that the current pace of Patriot system production is insufficient to provide effective protection.

Background:

• Zelenskyy arrived in Ankara for the NATO summit on 7 July.
• He and US President Donald Trump are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara at 14:30 local time (the same as Kyiv time) on 8 July.
• It was reported that the final declaration of the NATO summit in Ankara on 7-8 July will include a statement that Russia poses a threat to Euro-Atlantic security, as well as a pledge by Alliance member states to provide Ukraine with €70 billion in military support per year in 2026-2027.

Subscribe on Patreon to back our journalism long-term.