Zelenskyy Urges NATO to Admit Ukraine Citing Its Defensive Capabilities

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told a NATO defence industry forum in Ankara that Ukraine should be admitted to the alliance because its forces already possess advanced defensive capabilities developed during five years of war with Russia. He said Ukraine has shifted from security recipient to provider and that its rapid technological adaptation has created a source of extraordinary defensive capability for Europe.

" Zelenskyy asked.

Zelenskyy said Ukrainian drones have eliminated Russia's strategic rear by striking oil facilities far from the front line. On Monday, Ukrainian forces hit an oil refinery in Omsk more than 2,500 km from the border, he said. "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," Zelenskyy stated. A senior NATO official said Russian forces advanced 3.79 square kilometres a day in June, a quarter the rate recorded a year earlier, while sustaining 30,000 to 35,000 casualties a month.

The only major gap Ukraine and Europe still face is anti-ballistic air defence, Zelenskyy said. "Those who defend life need more Patriots," he added, urging faster European production of comparable systems. On Monday, at least 15 people were killed in Kyiv after 23 Russian ballistic missiles struck the capital.

None were intercepted because of a shortage of US Patriot interceptors. Zelenskyy is expected to request a Patriot interceptor production license when he meets US officials in Ankara on Wednesday. " — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum, Ankara.