2 minute read
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s achievements in its war against Russia, particularly in the field of drone production, and called for his country to become a member of NATO during his address at the Defence Industry Forum held on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara. BBC Russian reported the remarks.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s air defence systems intercept more than 90% of Shahed drones, which he described as the best result in the world.
“Do you really think that a country with such defence capabilities should remain outside the Alliance?” Zelenskyy asked the audience, which included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
“Ukraine’s membership in NATO is a source of exceptional defence capabilities,” the Ukrainian president added.
He said NATO, together with Ukraine, represents the alliance of the future.
Zelenskyy also referred to Ukraine’s long-range strikes against Russia, saying they had reached as far as Omsk. According to him, the strike on an oil refinery in Siberia was not an exception but a reality. He added that there is no major oil refinery left in Russia that has not come under attack by the Ukrainian armed forces.
He also referred to the “Drone Deal,” under which Ukraine’s partners — EU and NATO member states, as well as Azerbaijan and Gulf countries — could receive Ukrainian-made drones. At the same time, Zelenskyy stressed that Russia still retains one major advantage: ballistic missiles.
“As long as this war continues, please help us with air defence missiles. That is our priority. We can do the rest ourselves,” he said.
According to Zelenskyy, Europe must build a strong defence against Russian missiles and develop its own air defence systems capable of being produced on a large scale to protect against Russian strikes.