Zelensky Seeks US Patriot Licenses at NATO Summit in Ankara

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pressed European allies on Tuesday to urgently initiate the mass production of anti-ballistic missile systems during an address at the NATO Summit in Ankara.

The Ukrainian leader identified Russian ballistic missile capabilities as Moscow’s final remaining strategic advantage.

He warned that current manufacturing rates for U.S. Patriot batteries are insufficient to meet wartime demands.

Kyiv is currently negotiating with Washington to secure production licenses for the Patriot defense system.

Zelensky urged European partners to support this initiative to establish affordable, high-volume manufacturing immediately, rather than waiting until 2030.

Eliminating the Strategic Rear

The push for advanced air defenses comes as Ukraine expands its offensive operations deep into Russian territory.

Zelensky stated that Moscow no longer possesses a secure strategic rear to safely shelter its military production and equipment.

Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles recently penetrated Russian defenses to strike an oil refinery in Siberia.

Zelensky noted that this operational reach is now standard, claiming every major Russian oil refinery has been targeted by Ukrainian forces.

Drone Dominance and Troop Casualties

The widespread deployment of drones has heavily degraded Russian manpower. Kyiv estimates that approximately 30,000 Russian soldiers are eliminated each month.

In June alone, Ukrainian forces recorded the elimination of nearly 28,000 Russian troops.

Zelensky indicated that each casualty from that month has been verified by video evidence, with the vast majority resulting from drone strikes.

Concluding his address in Türkiye, Zelensky maintained that Kyiv is fighting a war of necessity.

He reiterated that Ukraine’s integration into NATO is essential to the alliance's future.