'Would make all of us stronger': Zelensky renews push for Ukraine's Nato membership

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday renewed his appeal for Ukraine to join Nato, arguing that the country's battle-tested military would make the alliance stronger. Speaking on the sidelines of the Nato summit in Ankara, he also urged allies to step up support for Ukraine's air defence as Russia continues its missile and drone attacks.

'Ukraine belongs in Nato'

Addressing a Nato defence industry forum, Zelenskyy questioned why a country with Ukraine's military capabilities should remain outside the alliance.

"Do you really believe it would be right to leave outside Nato a country and a people with this level of defensive capability?" he asked.

He said Ukraine's armed forces have gained extensive combat experience during more than four years of war and that these capabilities would strengthen NATO's collective defence.

More from World

Calls for stronger air defence support

Zelenskyy said Ukraine has developed most of the weapons it needs domestically, particularly in drone warfare, but stressed that it still depends on allies for advanced air defence systems.

"We are capable of doing everything else ourselves, but when it comes to air defence, we need our partners' determination," he said.

The Ukrainian president also called for greater cooperation with European countries to develop an alternative to the US-made Patriot missile defence system and urged Washington to allow licensed production of Patriot systems in Ukraine.

Pointing to Ukraine's expanding drone capabilities, Zelenskyy said the country now defends itself against hundreds of Russian drones every day while continuing to increase domestic weapons production despite the war.

He also claimed that nearly 28,000 Russian soldiers were killed in June alone, adding that Ukrainian forces had verified every casualty through video evidence.

Zelenskyy further said Ukraine had destroyed Russia's sense of having a secure strategic rear by carrying out long-range drone strikes deep inside Russian territory, including a recent attack on an oil refinery in Siberia.

NATO membership remains uncertain

Zelenskyy's renewed appeal comes despite US President Donald Trump reiterating his opposition to Ukraine joining NATO as Washington continues efforts to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

Ukraine has long sought NATO membership, arguing that joining the alliance is essential for its long-term security, while Russia has repeatedly cited NATO's eastward expansion as one of the reasons for its invasion.