Zelenskyy asks Europe to prioritize anti-ballistic missile defense systems
JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged European allies to prioritize the production of anti-ballistic missile defense systems while speaking at a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
"One thing we still need to do in Europe is build a strong defense against Russian ballistic missiles," Zelenskyy said, as reported by CNN, Tuesday, July 7.
"This is a big challenge; this is the last major advantage Russia has," he continued.
Important work lies ahead in Ankara. We expect a strong and productive NATO Summit. Decisions are needed now that will provide greater protection for our people, more capabilities for our defense, and even stronger security cooperation between Ukraine, Europe, and the United… pic.twitter.com/SiOTCnan1O
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 7, 2026
The Ukrainian president also described Russia's ballistic missile threat - which has rained on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and killed many residents on various occasions since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022 - as a problem of global urgency.
"We have looked at each other as reliable partners, and it is only natural that we become part of a common security community," Zelensky appealed to the European community.